GCT Team
A senior advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a provocative statement threatening military action against the Greek island of Kastellorizo (also known as Meis in Turkish) if Israel deploys weapons or establishes a military presence there.
The advisor claimed that Israel has already transferred weapons and soldiers to various Aegean islands, allegedly establishing missile depots and military bases near Turkey's borders. According to the statement:
"Israel has moved weapons and soldiers to the islands of the Aegean Sea. Israel has established missile depots and military bases on our borders.
If a similar attempt is made in Kastelorizo, Turkey should occupy this island immediately! Without a doubt…Only Turkey has a future."
This rhetoric highlights ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey has repeatedly accused Greece of militarizing Aegean islands in violation of historical treaties, while Greece and Israel have deepened defense cooperation, including arms deals and joint military exercises.
Kastellorizo, a small Greek island located just 2 km from the Turkish mainland, has long been a flashpoint in Greco-Turkish disputes over maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zones, and potential energy resources.
No immediate official response from the Turkish government or confirmation of the advisor's identity was detailed in the original post, and such statements from figures close to Erdoğan often contribute to escalation in diplomatic rhetoric between Ankara and Athens.
This development underscores the fragile state of relations in the region, with implications for NATO allies Greece and Turkey, as well as broader Israel-Turkey tensions. Further statements or actions from the involved parties are awaited.
Read more Greece, Israel, and Cyprus to Intensify Joint Military Exercises in Eastern Mediterranean
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