French aircraft carrier in Cyprus Block 8

Amid rising tensions in the East Mediterranean, the flagship of the French Navy, aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, remains in Block 8 of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, bearing a small fleet of Rafale fighter jets, helicopters, other aircraft and drones.

Block 8 has come into sharp focus in the past two weeks as Turkey's Yavuz drillship is there, violating Cyprus' continental shelf, while the rights of France's Total and Italy's Eni, which have been granted a license to explore for hydrocarbons in Cyprus's EEZ, have also been infringed upon.

The Rafale jets have been operating against Islamic State targets as part of the French military's Operation Chammal, with some of the aircraft flying over Cypriot territory on Sunday.

The fact that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has remained south of Cyprus has caused annoyance in Ankara, as far as reports in...