ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry said on Thursday that Greece’s initiatives concerning the status of certain Aegean islands violate international treaties and undermine bilateral relations, warning that Ankara has taken the necessary measures in response.

Speaking at the ministry’s weekly press briefing in Ankara, spokesperson Zeki Akturk said Athens’ actions contradict agreements that define the legal status of the islands.

“The initiatives by Greece that violate the status of the islands contrary to duly concluded treaties both create legal violations and damage our neighborly and allied relations,” Akturk said.

He noted that the Eastern Aegean islands were transferred to Greece under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaties on the condition that they remain demilitarized.

According to the ministry, islands such as Limnos and Karpathos are among those that must maintain demilitarized status under the provisions of these agreements.

The ministry said that violating this status constitutes a fundamental breach and that unilateral actions cannot legally terminate the demilitarized status stipulated by the treaties.

“These fait accompli attempts do not lead to the unilateral termination of the demilitarized status,” the statement said, adding that the issue has also been raised at the highest levels of the Turkish government.

The ministry also accused Greece of attempting to exploit regional crises.

“We do not accept Greece’s initiatives that do not serve a genuine purpose and aim to turn the crises in our region into opportunities. Necessary measures have been taken accordingly,” it said.

The ministry added that such tensions among NATO allies are "unacceptable" at a time when security crises continue in the broader region.

Measures regarding TRNC

Responding to questions about security measures for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Akturk said Türkiye considers the island’s security and the preservation of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean to be of strategic importance.

He said air and air defense assets have been deployed to the TRNC following missile and drone threats linked to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

The deployments are aimed at strengthening deterrence, supporting airspace security and improving rapid response capabilities against potential threats, he added.

Akturk stressed that the measures contribute not only to the security of the TRNC but also to the stability of the entire island.

“Türkiye is a guarantor country in Cyprus. In an environment where some non-guarantor states are deploying military elements to the island and the Eastern Mediterranean, the measures taken by Türkiye are legitimate, appropriate and part of a balanced security approach,” he said.

Conflict between US, Israel and Iran

Acting on the regional developments, Akturk also addressed the ballistic munition fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace earlier this month.

He said a ballistic munition launched from Iran on March 9 and heading toward Turkish airspace was intercepted by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Some debris from the munition fell on empty land in the southeastern provinces of Gaziantep and Diyarbakir, but no casualties or injuries were reported, he added.

Akturk said Türkiye has taken additional measures to safeguard its airspace and citizens amid the expanding conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequently widened with Iranian attacks targeting third countries.

Within this framework, a Patriot air defense system assigned by NATO Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, is being deployed to the eastern province of Malatya, he said.

He also noted that six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems were deployed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of a phased plan to strengthen the island’s security against potential missile and drone threats stemming from the conflict.

Akturk added that Turkish fighter jets have been conducting air patrol missions to secure national airspace and prevent possible violations.

He said Turkish naval and air elements are also carrying out navigation, reconnaissance and surveillance activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, while relevant institutions are coordinating precautionary measures against potential risks along Türkiye’s Iran border, where no unusual military buildup has been observed.

“Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures in coordination with NATO and our allies, based on defense and deterrence, to ensure the security of our airspace, borders, citizens and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and to contribute to regional peace and stability,” Akturk said.

He also reiterated the importance of ending the conflict that has caused civilian casualties and achieving a lasting ceasefire.

Multi-layered air defense system

Akturk also addressed questions about Türkiye’s S-400 air defense system, saying the country’s air and missile defense activities are conducted through a multilayered structure based on threat assessments and operational requirements.

Türkiye is part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense system, which combines early warning sensors, command-and-control networks and interceptor missiles, he said.

“When a ballistic missile is detected, the system automatically selects the most suitable and fastest interception tool due to the extremely short response time,” Akturk said, adding that the most effective defense assets were activated against the recent ballistic threat.

Incirlik base remains a Turkish facility

The spokesperson also rejected claims that the Incirlik Air Base in southern Türkiye is a US base.

“Incirlik is a Turkish base,” Akturk said, noting that the 10th Main Jet Base Command, operating under the Turkish Air Force Combat Command in Eskisehir, is stationed there.

The base hosts Türkiye’s F-16 fleet, tanker aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, and all facilities belong to the Republic of Türkiye, he added.

The base commander is a Turkish brigadier general, while military personnel from the US, Spain, Poland and Qatar are also present at the facility. The presence of US troops does not make it a US base, Akturk said.

He also said that four PKK terrorists surrendered over the past week in ongoing operations, while efforts continue to detect and destroy mines, improvised explosive devices, caves and shelters used by the group along Türkiye’s borders and beyond.