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🇮🇸 Iceland /Conflict & Security

Turkey Calls for Black Sea Attack Truce Amid Escalating Strikes

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for a temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea due to repeated attacks on ships.
  • Fidan noted that attacks have expanded beyond ports and warships to indiscriminately target merchant vessels, including those under Turkish flag.
  • He urged the establishment of a special mechanism to ensure such a pause in hostilities.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for a temporary halt to Russian and Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea, citing a recent escalation of assaults on commercial shipping. Fidan expressed concern that the conflict has spread throughout the region, moving from targeting ports and warships to indiscriminately striking merchant vessels. "Initially, ports and warships were attacked. Now, merchant ships are being attacked without any distinction," Fidan stated in an interview with the Turkish state news agency Anadolu.

Initially, ports and warships were attacked. Now, merchant ships are being attacked without any distinction

— Hakan FidanTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the escalation of attacks in the Black Sea.

Fidan highlighted that ships flying the Turkish flag and vessels owned by Turkish entities have been among those targeted. Turkish authorities recently condemned drone attacks on two civilian ships in the Black Sea that resulted in injuries to several crew members. The minister emphasized the need to establish a framework that could serve as the basis for declaring a temporary ceasefire in the area.

Turkish ships and ships sailing under the Turkish flag have been among those attacked

— Hakan FidanFidan pointed out that Turkish interests have been directly affected by the attacks.

The call for a pause comes amid heightened tensions and risks to maritime trade in the vital waterway. The Black Sea has become a focal point of the ongoing conflict, with attacks impacting international shipping lanes and raising concerns about global supply chains. Turkey, with its strategic position and influence, seeks to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of navigation.

It is necessary to establish a mechanism that could serve as the basis for declaring a temporary ceasefire in the region

— Hakan FidanThe Turkish Foreign Minister urged the creation of a framework to facilitate a pause in hostilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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