Turkey: Muslim Nations Concerned Over Israel-Greece-Cyprus Alliance

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has voiced significant concerns regarding the expanding military cooperation between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, stating that Muslim nations in the region are apprehensive about this burgeoning alliance. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey, Fidan highlighted Greece's participation in this bloc, despite its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), questioning the security implications for the region.

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Muslim countries in the region are concerned about the growing military alliance between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.

Fidan articulated the underlying anxiety, suggesting that the lack of guarantees surrounding the alliance leaves room for suspicion. "No one gives us assurances that this is not an initiative against us before or after its formation," he stated, pointing to a perceived strategic encirclement. This sentiment is amplified by past rhetoric from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Fidan recalled making remarks that seemed to target Turkey.

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Greece has joined Israel's group even though it is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Netanyahu's comments from a trilateral summit last December, where he seemingly alluded to Turkey's historical aspirations, are seen by Ankara as provocative. "To those who+ fantasize about rebuilding their empires and their power over our lands, I say: Just forget it. It will not happen. Never think about it," Netanyahu had said. Fidan interprets such statements, coupled with the Israel-Greece-Cyprus alliance, as part of a broader strategy aimed at isolating Turkey.

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No one gives us assurances that this is not an initiative against us before or after its formation.

From Turkey's perspective, this alliance, which has been developing since the early 2010s and involves joint military exercises and intelligence sharing, is viewed not merely as regional cooperation but as a potential threat. Fidan's statements reflect a deep-seated mistrust and a strategic calculus that prioritizes national security above all else. While Western media might frame this as standard geopolitical maneuvering, for Turkey, it represents a direct challenge to its regional influence and security interests, necessitating a strong diplomatic response and a vigilant stance.

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To those who+ fantasize about rebuilding their empires and their power over our lands, I say: Just forget it. It will not happen. Never think about it.