A new wave of Turkish provocations on the anniversary of October 28 and following Vasilis Palma’s statements regarding the permanent presence of Greek F-16s in Paphos.
A formation of fighter jets and support aircraft that took off from various Turkish air bases conducted an extended flight south of Cyprus.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Turkish Ministry of Defense, which released a video of the event, describes the flight as having taken place in international airspace; however, it represents yet another link in the chain of Turkish violations of the Nicosia FIR.
Ankara is presenting the operation as a training exercise by its Air Force and directly linking it to the defense of Turkish interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“We are working resolutely to protect our country’s rights and interests in the Mediterranean and to maintain our operational readiness at the highest possible level.”
Turkish Ministry of National Defense
The reference to Turkey’s “rights and interests” carries particular political significance, as Ankara chooses to link the flights to its broader claims in the region, involving the Republic of Cyprus and Greece.
This was preceded on September 21 by a similar flight, during which the Turkish Ministry of Defense used the slogan “Steel Wings in the Skies of the Mediterranean.”
The repetition of this activity within a five-week period confirms that the Turkish Air Force seeks to maintain a regular presence south of Cyprus.
Ankara is thus demonstrating its operational capabilities in a region of crucial importance to Cyprus, Greece, and Israel.
On October 16, Turkey also conducted the “Mediterranean Storm 2026” exercise in the occupied territories, with the participation of ground, air, and naval forces, as well as special operations units.
Watch the report by Christoforos Nestoros:
