Ankara lodged complaints about how Athens has authored the alleged militarization of two islands in the Aegean. The reported movement of US armored units in the Grecian islands of Lesbos and Samos is the latest diplomatic clash point between Turkey and Greece.
Turkey-Greece Strife
Turkey has long charged Greece with militarizing the Eastern Aegean islands in violation of international treaties signed following World Wars I and II, reported Middle East Eye.
As reported by the state-owned Anadolu news agency, the Turkish foreign ministry notified the Greek ambassador to Istanbul last Monday and asked him to cease the infringements on the islands located off the coast of western Turkey as well as reestablish their non-military designation, noted France 24.
In a protest note to the US, Ankara insisted in a protest note to the US that it honors the status of the Eastern Aegean Sea and takes measures to prevent the use of armaments.
According to a report by Anadolu last Sunday, Turkish army UAVs monitored Athens's rollout of military vehicles on the islands on September 18 and 21, violating international law.
Following the details, the outlet showed a video of a landing craft with armored units from the United States; the islands of Lesvos and Samos alleged militarization were the sites of the operation, citing AA.
US-Donated Military Vehicles Arrive in the Aegean Islands
As said by security sources, Turkish drones captured two landing vessels ready to travel to the isles, with naval vessels transporting 23 tactical wheeled military vehicles to Lesbos as well as 18 to Samos.
Both countries have been involved in disputes with each other, such as maritime influence over Aegean Sea islands, natural gas sources, and ever-changing airspace limits. Notwithstanding a brief détente following Russia's incursion into Ukraine, the two NATO countries have lately been mired in a verbal war.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to strike back against Greece because of what he asserts are acts of aggression.
However, Greece sent letters to the military alliance, the European Union, and the United Nations, declaring that Erdogan was prepared to risk another military conflict in the Mediterranean Sea.
A month ago, Turkey insisted that Greece had used a Russian-made air defense system to target their jets dangerous while on a recon mission. But a counter from Greece says that Turkey overflew illegally.
Erdogan Tells Greece To Back Off
Greek is not synonymous with Turkey, and attempting to do so will result in disaster, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He admonished Greece for reportedly invading and occupying its archipelago of islands, per RT.
The actual objective of Athens' aggressive stance against Turkey is to thwart the country's advancement forward into greatness, he said in a speech after a meeting of the Turkish cabinet last Monday.
He accused Greece of attempting to engage in trickery and confrontation and warned that such a conflict with Turkey would be devastating for the Greeks.
Furthermore, recalling how his country defeated expeditionary forces from Greece during the Turkish War of Independence around a century ago was a historical lesson to Athens.
Ankara is not pleased with the alleged militarization of two Aegean islands that Greece has occupied, threatening another conflict.
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