Turkish generals suspended in power struggle between ruling party and the military

Several generals have been suspended by Turkey's government in the latest episode of a power struggle between the ruling party and the military.

Reports say a decision by politicians to remove officers of such high rank from duty is a first in the Turkish Republic, euronews reports.

Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul relieved generals Gurbuz Kaya and Abdullah Gavremolgu, while Justice Minister Besir Atalay removed Halil Helvacioglu, the Istanbul-based newspaper reported. All three generals are under investigation for alleged involvement in the so-called "Sledgehammer Plot" to create havoc that would lead to a coup against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, Hurriyet said.

The generals have opened cases at the country's top military court to contest their suspension, Hurriyet said, Bloomberg says.