The Turkish army will conduct military exercises off the coast of Cyprus from Sunday. The exercises are taking place now that tensions with Greece have risen.
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The exercise is called ‘Mediterranean Storm’ and will last until Thursday. Units from the Turkish part of Cyprus will also participate, Ankara said.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the annual exercise is aimed at “improving joint training, cooperation and interoperability” between the Turkish mainland and the command in northern Cyprus. The menu features air strike simulations and combat search and rescue.
Cyprus has been divided into a Greek south and an internationally unrecognized Turkish north since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a coup.
Both countries are conducting rival military exercises in the area, where a Turkish research vessel will drill until September 12. That ship has an escort of warships.
Tensions in the area have been raised by those Turkish exploratory gas drilling operations in what the EU regards as Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
NATO and the European Union already offered mediation. But to give that dialogue a chance, Turkey must first stop its unilateral drilling activities. Failing that, European leaders will list at their special summit on September 24 sanctions discuss against Turkey.
Italy and Germany are reluctant to sanctions. Turkey is an important export country for Germany, which also fears that President Erdogan would allow more migrants to leave for Greece in response. But Greece and Cyprus are determined to play hard and can count on the support of France.
The conflict in the Mediterranean is not only about gas, but above all for leadership in the region.
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