TURKISH AND ISRAELI WARSHIPS CLASH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Turkish warships have approached Israeli naval vessels in the Mediterranean and designated maritime routes for them, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN
The Israeli Navy has raised its alert level in response.
Tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv have been rising since Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airport in Syria. The airport is about 70 kilometres from the Turkish border. Israel justified the strikes by saying it wanted to prevent Turkey from deploying air defence systems there.
Turkey has denied those claims. The US has called the Israeli strikes unnecessary and praised Turkey’s rational restraint.
KAN analyst Roy Sharon said the Turkish navy has increased its presence in the Mediterranean through ongoing exercises and heavy warship deployments. He said Turkish vessels sometimes flex muscles in Israeli sailing zones, approach Israeli ships, and signal routes.
Israeli naval officials have been monitoring Turkey for months. They have noted increased Turkish military activity in the Mediterranean and surrounding shipping lanes.
Israeli security sources told Reshet Bet radio that Israel has no desire to turn Turkey into an enemy. Secret communication channels remain open between the two countries to avoid dangerous friction.
Both sides are preparing for the worst while keeping the door open for de-escalation.
Two NATO members are now staring each other down in the Mediterranean. How long before a miscalculation turns a standoff into a shooting match.