Ankara is raising tensions in Greek-Turkish relations following Erdogan’s announcement of the two “national marine parks” in the northern Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Turkish Air Force today committed 25 violations of Greek national airspace and 14 infringements of air traffic rules in the Athens FIR.

Eight of the violations of Greek airspace were carried out by Turkish F-16 fighter jets, while in one case the illegal activity by the Turkish Air Force in the Aegean developed into a mock dogfight with a Greek aircraft on alert.

Overall, seven Turkish aircraft flew over the northeastern, central and southeastern Aegean today, Tuesday, in three formations (two F-16 fighter jets were armed), along with one CN-235 surveillance aircraft and four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which carried out 17 violations. The three infringements in the Athens FIR were carried out by the fighter aircraft formations, nine by the UAVs and the remaining two by the CN-235.

According to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), the Turkish aircraft were identified and intercepted by Greek fighter jets in accordance with international rules and established practice.