"This is our sea" was the first comment of Ali Aibas, a resident of Constantinople (Turkish: İstanbul) , when asked what he thinks about the issues that are unfolding in the last few days in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Residents of Constantinople commented on the hostilities in the Eastern Mediterranean between Greece and Turkey, naturally supporting the Turkish side despite not being in accordance with international law, Sputnik Hellas reported.
Many residents of Constantinople agree with Turkey's actions regarding drilling in the Mediterranean.
"I am surprised that Greece demands to have rights in our territorial waters in the Mediterranean. I am also surprised that Egypt, a country that should take our side, aligned with Greece. These waters are rightfully ours, and I believe we will defend our rights," said Emre Tekin, another resident of Constantinople.
One woman said that "the Mediterranean belongs to us, so Greece has no right to be involved. The Mediterranean belongs to Turkey, we can research as much as we want, whether it gas or anything else."
Another man said "What I can say about the Greek position is that these waters are ours, borders should be respected, and as our government says, don't act like spoiled children, or you will face the consequences."
https://twitter.com/thedukeoriginal/status/1295655220056412160
Following the signing of the Exclusive Economic Zone delimitation agreement between Greece and Egypt, Turkey's response was to issue an announcement that it will illegal conduct research on Greece's continental shelf until August 23.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of Turks think they are in the right position, ignoring the fact that Turkey is one of only 15 countries to not sign and/or ratify the United Nations Charter Law of the Sea, and is one of the very few countries in the world to not recognise the authority of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Turkey is one of the lowest ranked countries for media freedoms in the world, is the second most susceptible country surveyed on the European continent to fake news, has the most journalists jailed in the whole world, and 90% of media is government controlled.
It is partly for this reason that average Turks do not know that their actions are illegal and outside of international law, despite maintaining that they are operating within international law, without specifying which one exactly.
Some days ago, Turkey's Kemal Reis frigate that was escorting the Oruç Reis research vessel collided with the Greek Limnos warship, rendering the Kemal Reis inoperable against the Greek Navy, as reported by Greek City Times. This is especially humiliating as the Limnos is 38-years-old and considered one of the weakest ships in the Greek Navy, while the Kemal Reis is one of the most modern warships of the Turkish Navy.
This is what happen between #Hellenicnavy Frigate Limnos and #Turkish #Kemalreis .
Now #Turks admitted that the ship is heavily damaged!#Greece #Turkey #Aegean #turkeyisaterrorstate #boycottturkey #SanctionTurkey #Mediterranean #Oruc_Reis #επακουμβηση
@NicAthens pic.twitter.com/Y9HPPi4gcS— Info Warrior (@InfoWarriorNews) August 16, 2020
This news however has not been reported in Turkish media due to the humiliation.
