Turkish government has taken over military factories, shipyards: PM Binali Yildirim

Turkey has taken over factories and shipyards that had been under control of the military general staff as part of a wide-ranging shake-up of the armed forces following July's abortive coup, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday.

Yildirim, who was speaking to members of his ruling AK Party in parliament, also said the restructuring of Turkey's armed forces would not weaken the military, but put its focus on activities essential for national security.

Turkey had released more than 750 soldiers detained after the coup, while President Tayyip Erdogan said he would drop lawsuits against people who had insulted him, in a one-time gesture of "unity".

More than 60,000 people have been detained, removed or suspended over suspected links with the failed putsch, when a faction of the military commandeered tanks, helicopters and fighter jets and attempted to topple the government.