In its effort to gain ground in the gas fields that have already been detected around Cyprus, Turkey is once again provoking the situation by deciding to suddenly hold military exercises right over Plot 12 where Nobel energy and Cyprus authorities are currently conducting drilling for natural gas and oil. The aviation exercises are the first of their sort within Cyprus EEZ as well is the first provocation of Ankara since Cyprus assumed the presidency of the EU.
Quite coincidentally, the exercises are going to span across the neighboring Plots 8 and 9 which are also suspected of having large quantities of natural gas as well.
It looks like Turkey is purposely ignoring the Syrian crisis which is unfolding on its doorstep and has rather turned its attention to Greece and Cyprus, whom it knows it can easily bully around with its impressive military units. The force consists of F-16C / D fighter planes, naval helicopters, air refueling aircraft, frigates, two CN-235 aircraft, etc.
When informed about this new Turkish move, Israel authorities immediately asked permission from Nicosia to also hold military exercises and according to reports they will instead be using F-16 Sufa jets and electronic warfare aircraft so as to "analyze" every Turkish move.
The Turkish military exercises will continue until Thursday, or July 13 (between 0:500 -13:00 hours).
Source in Greek - Defencenet
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