Turkey's Defense Ministry fired back at Greece on Friday after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Kastellorizo w...

Turkey's Defense Ministry fired back at Greece on Friday after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Kastellorizo with a delegation that included military personnel and a warship. Ministry spokesman Zeki Aktürk said Ankara is "closely monitoring" the visit and the military presence on the island, calling it incompatible with the island's status under international law. Aktürk invoked the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, claiming Kastellorizo was handed to Greece under the condition that it remain demilitarized. He said the public display of military assets during high-level visits "does not conform to the island's status and does not contribute to peace and stability." Ankara called on Greece to honor its treaty obligations and halt military activities on demilitarized islands. The statement also warned that Turkey will not tolerate what it described as the creation of "facts on the ground" in violation of treaty terms. Aktürk added that Turkey will "decisively" protect its rights and interests under international law, even while claiming to support dialogue and good neighborly relations with Greece. In a separate but significant announcement, Turkey confirmed the transfer of its 51st Commando Brigade to Söke in Aydin province, directly across from the Greek island of Samos. The move was approved in June, with Turkish officials citing operational requirements of the armed forces. Ankara also weighed in on the US extension of the arms embargo lift on Cyprus, which now runs through September 30, 2027. Turkey's Defense Ministry called the decision a negative development that disrupts the security balance on the island. As a self-proclaimed guarantor power, Turkey said it will continue taking "all necessary measures" to protect the interests and security of Turkish Cypriots. #Greece #Turkey #Aegean