Turkey's entire military command has resigned

As VOA News reports, the reason for the mass exodus in the leadership ranks remains unclear.

Local Turkish media said Friday the head of the armed forces, and the army, naval and air commanders had tendered their resignations to the government.

Relations between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted government and the military have been strained.

Al Jazeera adds that charges that the military was trying to topple the government might have prompted the move.

The mass resignations came hours after a court charged 22 suspects, including several generals and officers with carrying out an internet campaign to undermine the government.

The unprecedented departures come ahead of the annual spring meeting scheduled for August 1, where leaders of the government and the military come together to discuss key appointments for the next year.

Reports say Friday's news signal a deep-rooted rift between the military and the government, amid an ongoing trial accusing dozens of generals and officers for plotting to overthrow the government.