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Since the tone was raised throughout the Mediterranean, there have been several military exercises. The picture shows a joint exercise with Greece, Italy, Cyprus and France near the Turkish border in late August.
Turkey is conducting military exercises with targeted shots outside of Cyprus’ territorial waters between Saturday and Monday, according to the country’s defense forces.
The announcement comes after a long period of tension and mutual accusations between Mediterranean countries Turkey, Cyprus and Greece over gas demarcations and deposits.
Turkey’s decision to hold the military exercise comes just days after EU leaders announced that sanctions against the country could be relevant if the Turkish government refuses to enter into a dialogue with Greece and Cyprus on border disputes. Possible sanctions will be discussed at an EU summit later this month.
Tensions in the Mediterranean escalated when, on August 10, Turkey sent the research vessel Oruç Reis, escorted by warships, to the disputed area to drill for gas and oil. Four days earlier, Greece and Egypt had signed an agreement on an economic zone at sea, which generated warm feelings in Turkey.
