The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced its forces conducted Saturday firing drills on supposed targets in the Mediterranean.
In a statement issued, the Ministry said TCG GUR and TCG BURAKREİS submarines have conducted successful torpedo firing exercises in the Mediterranean.
“Turkish Navy continues operational training underwater, above water, at air, and on land.”
A torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target.
Last May, Turkey launched its oil and gas explorations in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Cyprus and sent Fatih, Yavuz, and Oruc Reis drilling vessels.
European Union and regional countries including Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel condemned the explorations. The US also denounced Turkey’s move and decided to partially lift the arms embargo imposed on Cyprus.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the Turkish forces provide full protection for ships above and underwater, as well as military aircraft.
Akar indicated that Turkey is determined to protect its interests and those of the so-called unrecognized “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
Turkey rejects the agreements concluded by the Cypriot government with Egypt and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean region regarding the exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
Cyprus, a member of the European Union, has been at odds with Turkey for years over ownership of hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Turkey says that it is carrying out excavations in its so-called continental shelf, licensed by the “Republic of Northern Cyprus”, while the EU declared that Turkey is illegally excavating in Cyprus’ EEZ.
Ankara accused the EU of siding with Cyprus, saying it would continue to excavate to guarantee its rights and those of the Turkish Cypriots. It also went further and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last November with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, to demarcate the maritime borders.
Neighboring countries protested the Libyan-Turkish MoU, however Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned that Turkey would stop any country if it conducted excavations within its continental shelf without permission.
Cavusoglu said his country is willing to discuss and resolve the dispute with Greece, and affirmed Ankara’s readiness to sign agreements to demarcate maritime borders with all countries of the region, including Egypt.
Last Thursday, Anadolu Agency reported that Fatih drilling vessel will be set to sail off to the Black Sea where drilling work has been suspended for a long time. The Agency stated that the ship will cross the Bosphorus Strait towards the Black Sea.
