Turkish resource surveys to the south and east of the Greek island of Kastellorizo will commence today and will occur until August 2, Attaleia (Ἀττάλεια, Turkish: Antalya) hydrographic service in Turkey announced, as already reported by Greek City Times.
This has provoked a major escalation in the Greek-Turkish crisis in the Aegean as Turkey has dispatched at least 17 warships from the Aksaz Naval Base in Physkos (Φύσκος, Turkish: Marmaris), Militaire reported.
In the airspace of Kastellorizo, fierce air battles are taking place with the Turks making overflights.
With this escalation, military personnel who had plans to take time off, have had their permits and requests suspended.
At the same time, the 'Oruc Reis' drilling ship is preparing to set sail for the Greek island of Kastellorizo after Turkey issued a NAVTEX and co-ordinates where it plans to drill for resources in Greek maritime space.
This new challenge that transcends all limits comes on the eve of the first illegal prayer in Hagia Sophia and in charged memories from the first invasion of Cyprus.
According to information from the Hellas Journal, there is already a great mobility of the Greek armed forces in Evros on Tuesday afternoon, with the same information stating that they are lined up along the river, while at least so far no movement has been observed on the Turkish side.
At the same time, it should not go unnoticed that Turkey's provocation is being extradited while German Foreign Minister Haiko Maas is in Athens. His country is saying that Turkey must stop all provocative actions.
Following is the Turkish NAVTEX:
TURNHOS N / W: 0977/20 (Antalya NAVTEX Station) (Published Date: 21-07-2020 11:23)
TURNHOS N / W: 0977/20
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
1.SEISMIC SURVEY, BY R / V ORUÇ REİS, ATAMAN AND CENGİZ HAN BETWEEN 21 JUL-02 AUG 20 IN AREA BOUNDED BY;
33 55.22 N – 027 59.83 E
34 58.25 N – 030 31.50 E
34 18.18 N – 030 54.52 E
34 17.03 N – 030 06.12 E
33 49.13 N – 030 06.38 E
33 40.95 N – 028 46.62 E
33 47.37 N – 028 20.27 E
33 52.98 N – 027 59.97 E
6 NM BERTH REQUESTED.
