Türkiye deploys warships near Greek Islands amid tensions over Aegean research activities.

According to information published by Greek Reporter on November 15, 2024, the relation between Greece and Turkey faced a momentary strain on when four Turkish frigates entered the southern Aegean Sea near the straits of Kasos and Karpathos. This development prompted Greece to respond by deploying a gunboat and a frigate to monitor the situation. While the Turkish naval vessels did not engage or approach Greek forces, their unexpected maneuver stirred diplomatic activity, and they later exited the area.
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The Spanish Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate Mendez Nunez and the Turkish Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate TCG Gelibolu. (Picture source: Turkish MoD)

Unconfirmed reports suggest that their actions might have been prompted by rumors of the Italian research vessel Ievoli Relume conducting surveys in the region. However, Greek authorities stated that the vessel was stationed north of Crete and was not operating under a NAVTEX (Navigational Telex).

Last July, a similar incident involving Ievoli Relume sparked a 40-hour standoff near Kasos. At that time, Turkey deployed multiple naval assets, citing its maritime jurisdiction claims under the contentious Turkey-Libya memorandum of understanding. Greece countered by asserting its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in accordance with international law, backed by an agreement with Egypt.

The Turkey-Libya memorandum, widely criticized as legally unsubstantiated, overlaps with areas claimed by Greece as part of its EEZ. This ongoing disagreement has heightened regional tensions, with both sides maintaining robust naval presences to assert their claims.

Analysts believe such incidents highlight the fragile nature of Greece-Turkey relations, where historical grievances and maritime disputes often overshadow recent attempts at rapprochement.

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Naval incidents between Greece and Turkey have long been a point of contention, rooted in disputes over territorial waters, airspace, and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean Seas. These disagreements often escalate into standoffs involving naval forces, reflecting the complexities of their shared history and regional competition.

Incidents, such as the 2020 collision between the Greek frigate Limnos and the Turkish TCG Kemalreis near Kastellorizo, illustrate how quickly these tensions can escalate.

The underlying causes of these incidents revolve around conflicting claims to maritime zones, especially those with potential oil and gas reserves. Additionally, disagreements over the extent of territorial waters and national airspace, particularly around the densely clustered islands in the Aegean, exacerbate the situation. The militarization of certain islands and naval maneuvers in disputed areas further fuel mistrust between the two nations.