‘Greece violated Türkiye’s airspace, waters 1,123 times this year’

Greece has committed 1,123 violations and harassment against Turkish airspace and territorial waters in the first eight months of this year, Demirören News Agency has reported.

Stating that the Greek Armed Forces is constantly trying to increase the tension in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish Defense Ministry said they harassed the Turkish jets by locking on for a total of 3.372 seconds in 14 separate incidents since Aug. 15.

Reminding that Greece recently harassed the maritime patrol aircraft operating in the south of Rhodes on Sept. 1, the ministry emphasized that the aircraft was performing a NATO mission and was unarmed.

"The harassment and violations in question were retaliated within the framework of reciprocity," the ministry cited.

Noting that Greece carried out a total of 1,616 violations and harassment in Turkish airspace and waters last year with military marines and aircraft, the ministry said this figure is 1,123 in the first eight months of this year alone.

The ministry considers Greece's reasons for these violations "contrary to international law."

Reiterating that Türkiye always calls for dialogue and good neighborliness, the ministry said, "These aggressive actions of our NATO ally, which are against the spirit of alliance, are never acceptable. Our country, which is not a threat to anyone, is doing its best for peace, tranquility and stability in the world."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sept. 3 warned Greece that it would pay a "heavy price" if it continued to "harass" Turkish planes over the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.

"Hey Greece, take a look at history. If you go any further, you will pay a heavy price," Erdoğan said at Teknofest in the Black Sea...

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