More provocation is coming from Turkey putting the sovereignty claims over several Aegean islets in the spotlight again.
Speaking on Afrin and Ankara’s ongoing operations in northwest Syria, Turkey’s Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar made statements that were directed to Greece, given the ongoing tensions between the neighbouring countries.
“We can conduct operations in Afrin [in northwest Syria]. We can conduct operations in [Turkey’s] east and southeast. If necessary, we will fulfill any duty that may be assigned to us in the Mediterranean and in the Aegean without hesitation. No one should make any miscalculation on this issue,” Akar said during a visit to the TCG Gaziantep battleship.
Speaking to the TCG Gaziantep crew who are taking part in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) White Strom military exercise based in the Mediterranean Sea he added that “What is essential is good neighborly relations, friendship, and respect for human rights and international law”, Anadolu reported.
“We are expressing our views on this issue at appropriate platforms. But we have always expressed that we are ready to use all the authorities pledged to us if dialogue and cooperation do not work,” he added.