Newsletters
Türkiye on Monday rejected claims that Turkish fighter jets harassed aircraft carrying Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and European ministers or violated Greek and Greek Cypriot airspace, calling the allegations “entirely false.”
In a statement, Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications said two Turkish F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or TRNC, on June 7 after four of six aircraft flying between Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration entered TRNC airspace.
The F-16s were stationed in the TRNC on alert duty and were immediately deployed as a precautionary measure, the directorate said.
According to the statement, the Turkish aircraft completed their mission entirely within TRNC airspace and did not harass the aircraft carrying the officials.
The Directorate of Communications said the Turkish fighter jets did not enter the airspace of the Greek Cypriot Administration during the operation.
“The aircraft carried out their mission within TRNC airspace, did not violate the airspace of the GCA, and did not harass the aircraft in question,” the statement said.
The directorate said reports alleging that Turkish aircraft had harassed planes carrying Dendias and European ministers were circulated by some media outlets and later shared on social media.
It also rejected claims that Turkish aircraft had violated Greek airspace.
The statement also addressed flights conducted on June 6 as part of events marking the 115th anniversary of the Turkish Air Force Command and the “Youth and Aviation Festival.”
The directorate said all flights connected to the events took place within the designated flight zone of the 2nd Main Jet Base Command.
“At no point was Greek airspace violated,” the statement said.
The Directorate of Communications urged the public not to give credence to the allegations, which it said were intended to manipulate international public opinion and provoke tensions.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
