Greece Reports Turkish Military Aircraft Flights in Its Airspace

The Greek General Staff has announced the flight of two Turkish military aircraft in the airspace over Greek inhabited islands in the eastern Aegean Sea. According to the report, Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets operated at an altitude of approximately 9,000 meters.

DPA, citing data released by the Greek General Staff, reports that this year alone, Turkish fighter-bombers have conducted over 200 flights in Greek airspace. Moreover, Turkish aircraft have illegally entered Greek airspace more than 10,000 times, disregarding warnings from Western allies.

Relations between Greece and Turkey sharply deteriorated in the summer of 2020, with the neighboring countries on the brink of war, particularly amid disputes over sovereign rights in the Aegean Sea and possible gas reserves in the region.

Additionally, Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has accused Greece of pursuing a hostile policy against Ankara and violating NATO’s fundamental principles. “Unfortunately, our neighbor Greece continues to carry out provocative actions and aggressive, expansionist policies that lead to destabilization. We witness new provocations every day,” Akar stated.