Six Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were involved in multiple airspace violations over the Aegean Sea on Saturday, October 10, according to Greece’s Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA).
Greek military authorities reported eight violations of air traffic regulations within the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and five violations of Greek national airspace.
The incidents occurred across three separate areas of the Aegean, including the northeastern, central and southeastern sectors.
Greek Military Intercepts Turkish Drones
According to the Greek military, the Turkish drones were detected, identified and intercepted in accordance with international regulations and established operational procedures.
The latest incidents add to ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey over airspace and territorial disputes in the Aegean, despite both countries being NATO allies.
The reported violations also come just days after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Greece’s importance as a strategic partner of the United States and a key NATO ally during his visit to Athens.
Longstanding Disputes Over Aegean Airspace
Athens has repeatedly raised concerns over Turkish military activity in the Aegean, maintaining that unauthorized flights into Greek national airspace constitute violations of its sovereignty.
Turkey and Greece have longstanding disagreements over the extent of national airspace and the interpretation of aviation regulations in the Aegean, issues that have periodically contributed to tensions between the neighboring countries.
Greek military authorities routinely monitor and respond to such incidents, following established procedures for identifying and intercepting aircraft operating in disputed or restricted airspace.
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