The transport of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile battery from Karpathos to the Souda base in Crete began early this morning, Sunday, August 23.
This move comes after reports surfaced according to which Iran has considered the possibility of striking U.S. targets in Europe in the event of a further escalation of the conflict by the Trump administration.
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The Houthis attacked airports in Saudi Arabia
Early last week, the possibility of relocating the battalion to Crete to protect the Souda base was discussed, while the scenario of deploying a battalion to Evros was also discussed in the event that Bulgaria submitted a request for assistance to Athens, since, according to Reuters, bases in Bulgaria were also reportedly targeted by the Iranians.
The battery departed from the port of Karpathos for Souda aboard a tanker.
The return of the Patriot systems from Saudi Arabia will be discussed at the KYSEA
According to reports, the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense is expected to raise the issue of the Greek Patriot battery currently stationed in Saudi Arabia at the next National Security Council meeting.
The leadership is expected to propose either the return of the battery to Greece or, alternatively, its continued presence in Saudi Arabia for a short period of time, without a new long-term extension of the mission.
The issue of Greece’s presence in Saudi Arabia has returned to the forefront following the Mecca Agreement and the new balance of power it has created in the broader region. The Greek Patriot systems have been in the Kingdom since 2021, as part of the Greek mission to protect critical infrastructure, while Athens is now called upon to decide whether the mission will be concluded or extended for a limited period of time.
Source: iefimerida.gr
