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🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Turkish drones sweep the Aegean

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Unnamed sources Ongoing story
  • Greek authorities say Turkish Bayraktar drones have flown daily over parts of the northeastern Aegean since mid-August.
  • The activity appears linked to Turkey’s declaration of two national marine parks, although sources also raised possible connections to developments in Evros and Greece’s border fence.
  • Greek authorities say the drones mainly conduct surveillance, and Greek F-16s intercept them when they violate Greek airspace.

Greek authorities have recorded daily overflights by Turkish Bayraktar drones in the northeastern Aegean in recent weeks, with the activity appearing to coincide with Turkey’s declaration of two “national” marine parks on Aug. 16.

An unnamed government official told Kathimerini that Bayraktars have flown over the areas Turkey designated as marine parks, particularly in the northeastern Aegean. Other sources left open the possibility that the flights could also be connected to developments in Evros and the construction of a Greek border fence on land Turkey considers its own.

Turkey declared one park around Kastellorizo, covering the maritime area between Fethiye in Mugla province and Kas in Antalya province. The second extends between Samothrace and Lemnos, near Turkey’s coasts in the regions of Tekirdag and Canakkale. Greek authorities say the drones operate from the Canakkale area, near the Dardanelles.

They reportedly fly from there and reach an altitude of 17,000 feet near Samothrace and Alexandroupoli. A source familiar with the Greek authorities’ information said the Bayraktars appeared to be conducting surveillance operations, while not disrupting commercial aircraft using the area.

The same source said the Turkish drones do not systematically fly inside Greek airspace. When violations are recorded, Greek F-16s intercept them. On Aug. 17, one day after Turkey announced the two marine parks, the Greek Air Force recorded repeated airspace violations by a CN-235 maritime cooperation aircraft and three drones. On Aug. 25, four Turkish Bayraktars and one CN-235 were recorded inside national airspace.

According to a Greek General Staff announcement, the activity occurred in the northeastern and southeastern Aegean, with no engagements or armed aircraft involved. The Turkish aircraft were identified and intercepted in accordance with international rules.

The activity was recorded in the northeastern and southeastern Aegean, with no engagements or armed aircraft involved. The Turkish assets were identified and intercepted in accordance with international rules.

· Greek General StaffThe official statement described the reported airspace activity and Greece’s response.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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