Turkey Deploys Warships Due to Misunderstanding

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On Thursday, a misunderstanding prompted Turkey to deploy four frigates to the southern Aegean Sea, near the straits of Kasos and Karpathos. The Turkish naval vessels were already in the area for the concluding phase of the Mavi Balina exercise when they received orders to investigate rumors about the Italian ship, Ievoli Relume, allegedly conducting research there.

Greek authorities were taken aback by the deployment, as the Italian ship remained north of Crete, with no issued NAVTEX (Navigational Telex). The Ievoli Relume had previously been involved in a tense 40-hour standoff in July off Kasos.

The presence of Turkish warships led Greece to monitor the situation with a nearby gunboat and frigate, although they maintained a distance from the Turkish vessels. The situation was quickly resolved through diplomatic channels, resulting in the Turkish ships leaving the area later that day.

Compounding the tension were four violations of Greek airspace in the southeastern Aegean by Turkish forces, involving a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft, a UAV, and two helicopters engaged in military exercises.

This incident highlights Turkey’s heightened sensitivity to activities and discussions concerning the Eastern Mediterranean. Kathimerini frequently underscores Turkey’s distinct views regarding the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, where it asserts territorial disputes and purported rights, respectively.

Significantly, Greece has established an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with Egypt in the area south of Kasos and Karpathos, in accordance with international law and the law of the sea. Conversely, Turkey claims influence based on the controversial and legally ambiguous Turkey-Libya memorandum.

Despite the misunderstanding, the incident underscores the need for direct and diplomatic communication between Ankara and Athens to prevent similar confrontations in the future.