ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
Yaşar Büyükanıt
Yaşar Büyükanıt: Turkish General and Chief of Staff
Yaşar Büyükanıt is a renowned Turkish general who served as the 25th Chief of the Turkish General Staff from August 28, 2006, to August 28, 2008. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Büyükanıt graduated from Erzincan Askeri Lisesi in 1959 and later attended the Académie militaire turque in France as an infantry officer.
BüyÜCANAT's military career spans several decades, with notable positions including Commander of the 7th Army Corps, Chief of Operations at the Turkish General Staff, and Deputy Chief of Operations. He became a general in 2000 and served until 2003 before taking over as Chief of the Turkish General Staff.
During his tenure, Büyükanıt was involved in several high-profile incidents, including the authorization of Turkish military operations against terrorist organizations operating on its territory. In 2019, he passed away at the age of [age] due to natural causes.
BüyÜCANAT's career has been marked by numerous awards and honors, including the Özgü Cesaret ve Özfedakarlığı Madalyası (Turkish Silahlı Kuvvetleri Medal), TürkSilahlı Kuvvettleri Üstün Hizmet Medalyası (Turkey: Turkish Armed Forces Superior Service Medal), Legion of Merit from the United States, and Nishan-e Imtiaz madalyası from Pakistan.
BüyÜCANAT's tenure as Chief of Staff was also notable for his involvement in several international conflicts, including the Iraq War. In 2007, he held a press conference where he called on the government to authorize a Turkish military intervention against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) operating in Iraq. This move sparked controversy and raised questions about the role of the Turkish military in regional politics.
In addition to his military career, Büyükanıt has been involved in domestic politics, particularly with regards to the Cyprus question. In 2007, he reminded the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to take a stance on the issue, which had been a point of contention between Turkey and its European Union partners.
BüyÜCANAT's legacy as a Turkish general is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both his military achievements and his involvement in high-stakes international politics.