Extensive Turkish exercise viewed as show of force

In what has been described as a show of force to Greece and Cyprus, Turkey's navy is preparing to hold its biggest ever exercises according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency. 

The "Blue Homeland" exercise, with the participation of frigates, destroyers and fighter jets, will take place in the Black Sea, the Aegean and the Mediterranean between February 27 and March 8. 

News of the exercise came on the heels of unconfirmed reports on Wednesday that US energy giant ExxonMobil, which is licensed to explore hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), will announce the discovery of a significant reserve in Block 10. 

For its part, the Cypriot government on Thursday refused to confirm the report. 

Turkey has objected to Nicosia's search for gas without the consent of Turkish Cypriots in the occupied north of the island, and a Turkish...