Turkish F-16s Breach Greek Airspace After Two-and-a-Half Years, Raising Tensions

Turkish F-16 fighter jets, equipped with air-to-air missiles, entered Greek airspace, marking the first such incursion in 30 months. The violation of air traffic regulations occurred within the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) on September 1st. The incident has heightened existing tensions between the two NATO allies, Greece and Turkey, who are embroiled in a long-standing dispute over islands in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Adding to the complexity, Greece supports India, while Turkey backs Pakistan. Greek officials have expressed surprise at the event. Some analysts speculate the incursion could be a warning related to Greece’s planned resumption of an underwater electrical cable project with Cyprus.