Turkish air and naval forces are conducting joint practicing workout routines within the Aegean Sea, the country’s Protection Ministry says, amid traces with neighbor Greece over hydrocarbon discoveries
August 22, 2020, 2: 12 PM
2 min read
ANKARA, Turkey —
Turkish air and naval forces performed joint practicing workout routines within the Aegean Sea, the country’s Protection Ministry acknowledged Saturday, amid traces with neighbor Greece over hydrocarbon discoveries.
F-16 fighter jets took portion alongside warships to “make stronger, retain and toughen the operational skill of joint inter-forces operations,” the ministry tweeted.
The announcement got right here as NATO participants Turkey and Greece are facing off within the jap Mediterranean Sea over gasoline and oil exploration and a day after Turkey declared most important gasoline discoveries within the Black Sea.
Two weeks ago, Turkey despatched a warship-escorted analysis vessel to prospect in waters the place Greece claims uncommon rights to the underlying seabed. Athens replied by sending its have warships to the dwelling and placing its militia on alert. France additionally despatched warships and planes to enroll in drills with Greek forces.
Greek officials acknowledged Friday that the United Arab Emirates would additionally dispatch fighter jets to the southern Greek island of Crete for joint practicing subsequent week.
Relations between Greece and Turkey comprise traditionally been anxious. The two comprise come to the brink of war Thrice since the mid-1970s, together with once over drilling exploration rights within the Aegean Sea that separates the 2 international locations.
French members of the family with Turkey are strained over Ankara’s involvement in Libya’s civil war. The UAE is a bitter rival of Turkey in a broader battle over political Islam, while Abu Dhabi and Ankara relief rival factions in Libya.