Turkey announces new gunnery drill after naval exercises with US, Italy

Photo: Ministry of National Defense / Twitter

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Turkey issued two Navtex alerts today (August 27), one for extending its Oruç Reis drillship's exploration activities until September 1 and the other for naval gunfire exercises.

The country's naval focus will conduct gunnery exercises at two different points in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Turkish Naval Forces Office for Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography (OHNO). 

"Turkey's recent Navtex alert on gunnery drills has to do with security and safety off the coast of Iskenderun in the Eastern Mediterranean," Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar told the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).

The country also took part in naval training exercises with allied forces in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense said on Twitter.

In a tweet, the ministry said joint maritime training exercises had been held with the TCG Barbaros frigate, TCG Burgazada corvette and USS Winston S. Churchill destroyer.

A day before, the two frigates participating in the "Operation Mediterranean Shield" conducted replenishment on the sea with Italy's navy oiler ITS Etna.

Greece also conducted military exercises with the US and Cyprus, France and Italy over the past two days.

This week, Turkey and Greece sent out conflicting alerts on energy exploration and military exercises in the Mediterranean.

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Tensions over Turkey's hydrocarbon exploration activities have risen over the past month as Greece disputes Turkey's current energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, which it says violates its and southern Cyprus' maritime rights.

Turkey has sent out drillships to explore for energy on its "continental shelf," saying that both Turkey and Northern Cyprus have rights in the region.

Turkish Navy continues maritime trainings with Allied navies. Turkish frigate TCG BARBAROS and TCG BURGAZADA corvette have conducted maritime trainings with American destroyer USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL at Eastern Mediterranean on 26 August 2020. https://t.co/dZ4QBWniD1

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) August 26, 2020

Minister: Turkey's power shouldn't be tested

Everyone should know that the Turkish Republic has truly become a player on the international stage, Minister Akar told AA in a video interview today.

The Navtex maritime alert Turkey issued on Sunday was to ensure the safety of its naval forces in the Eastern Mediterranean during training off the coast of Iskenderun, southern Turkey, said Akar.

On disputes over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean, Akar said that Turkey had no designs on anyone's land or sea, but it would not allow any attack on its territory from its neighbors' lands or seas.

On Turkey's borders in the Eastern Mediterranean, he explained: "We said what would happen if you violated them. But we always stress that we favor dialogue."

"Turkey favors dialogue, we want peace, but we also want our rights," said Akar, stressing Turkey's desire for dialogue.

Turkey would be happy to welcome its Greek counterparts if they decide to sit down and talk, he added.

"Turkey's power should not be tested," said Akar, reiterating that Turkey is determined and able to protect its own rights and interests.

Dialogue over the Eastern Mediterranean should be the first option, otherwise undesirable situations could follow, he cautioned.

(VK)