The Defense Ministry said Thursday it was closely monitoring military developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and taking measures it deemed necessary to protect the country’s security and interests in the region.
Speaking at the ministry’s weekly press briefing, Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk, spokesperson for the ministry, said developments on the island of Cyprus were being closely followed amid what Ankara described as rising tensions and crises in the wider region.
The ministry addressed recent developments involving the Greek Cypriot administration, including its air defense capabilities.
It said that claims that an air defense system deployed by the Greek Cypriot administration did not pose a direct threat to Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) could not be used to disregard what Ankara described as the security, legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“The ministry is closely monitoring all developments in the region and taking the necessary measures,” it highlighted.
The ministry added that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) continued training and other activities in international waters and airspace over the Mediterranean.
Officials further addressed Greece’s military activities on islands that are required to maintain a demilitarized status under international agreements.
“Our expectation is that Greece refrain from such activities that could harm peace and stability in the region and comply with its obligations arising from the treaties,” the ministry warned.
Türkiye would continue what the ministry described as its constructive approach favoring good-neighborly relations and dialogue in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, while taking measures to safeguard its rights and interests under international law and protect national security, it added.
Two Greek frigates and two Israeli missile boats recently this month took part in the drill in the Eastern Mediterranean "in operational scenarios with a high degree of difficulty," the Kathimerini newspaper reported, describing the exercise as "highly symbolic."
According to the report, the drill focused on identifying and responding to threats at sea, conducting search-and-rescue operations and managing emergencies with the aim of increasing interoperability between the two naval forces and improving operational cooperation.
Türkiye has long emphasized that the Eastern Mediterranean should be an area of cooperation rather than tension. Following a meeting with Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis in June, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the importance of avoiding steps that could harm regional stability or be directed against Türkiye.
The ministry also called on Israel to immediately halt actions it said violate international law, accusing the country of contributing to instability in the Middle East through its military operations and policies in the region.
Women and children continued to be killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, it added, accused Israel of encouraging violence by illegal settlers.
The ministry also pointed to Israeli restrictions on the entry of fuel and construction materials sent as part of humanitarian aid efforts were hampering efforts to provide shelter for displaced Palestinians and affecting the operation of hospitals.
It accused Israel of continuing demolition activities in southern Lebanon in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and carrying out attacks on residential areas in southern Syria.
“These actions by Israel, which increasingly undermine public confidence in international law, pose a threat not only to the region but to the entire world,” the ministry emphasized.
“We once again emphasize that Israel must immediately end these actions that violate international law.”
The ministry further provided an update on the Turkish Armed Forces’ counterterrorism and border security operations, saying three members of the PKK surrendered to Turkish authorities over the past week.
Turkish forces detained 671 people who attempted to cross Türkiye’s borders illegally during the same period, including two people identified by authorities as members of terrorist organizations. Another 1,069 people were prevented from crossing the border.
According to the ministry, 11,994 people have been detained while attempting to cross Türkiye’s borders illegally since Jan. 1, while 51,338 others have been prevented from crossing during the same period.
Ministry's spokesperson also provided details on the Seawolf (Denizkurdu)-I/2026 military exercise, saying it was being conducted from Sept. 20-25 with the participation of 100 ships, 50 aircraft and other aviation assets, unmanned surface vessels and 14,000 personnel.
The exercise involves the Turkish Naval, Land and Air Forces, as well as the Special Forces Command, Gendarmerie General Command and Coast Guard Command.
The drills are being conducted in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean and are aimed at assessing the Navy’s command-and-control effectiveness, improving decision-making capabilities in a multithreat environment and strengthening interoperability among participating forces.
Activities include operational readiness training, live-fire exercises, logistical support operations and training in multi-threat scenarios.
Aktürk said a vertical takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) would take off from Türkiye’s amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu for the first time during the exercise.
He added that the PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vessel, developed by Türkiye’s state-owned Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) and equipped with a warhead weighing about 100 kilograms, would conduct an attack against a surface target.
It was also announced that 15 Turkish naval vessels would take part in a parade through the Bosporus on Sept. 27 to mark the 488th anniversary of the Battle of Preveza and Turkish Naval Forces Day.
Eight other vessels will make port visits and be open to the public.
Aktürk commemorated Ottoman admiral Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha and others who served in Türkiye’s naval history, as well as fallen soldiers and veterans who have died.
