The Turks have been issuing threats to Cyprus in recent weeks. They have warned the Cypriots not drill for natural gas. Cyprus has gone ahead and drilled. This prompted the Turks to send exploration ships near Cypriot waters. This is a clear provocation to Cyprus. Israel has decided to back its ally and sent the Turks a message, back off.
Low-flying Israeli warplanes and helicopters “harassed” a Turkish ship exploring for natural gas reserves near Cyprus on Thursday night, according to Turkish media reports.
Today’s Zaman, citing accounts in Turkish daily Vatan and Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, reported that two F-15 jets took off from Tel Aviv and flew through the airspace of both Greek Cyprus and Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus. The jets reportedly ignored warnings from officials of Turkish Cyprus.
According to the report, Turkey sent two F-16 jets to track the Israeli F-15s, which subsequently returned to Israel.
The report added that an Israeli military helicopter flew over the Turkish seismic research ship the Piri Reis, exploring for gas off of Cyprus’s southern coast.
If the report is accurate, I salute Israel. They are standing by a Christian nation against Islamic agression. Something the United States doesn’t do.
Tags: Cyprus, Islamic Imperialism, Natural Gas
