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Erdoğan’s far-right ally warns Greece over missile buildup on Aegean islands

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Far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, warned Greece on Tuesday over plans to deploy missiles on Aegean islands, during his party’s parliamentary group meeting at the Turkish Parliament, the T24 news website reported.

Bahçeli’s remarks came after reports of Greece planning to deploy missiles on Aegean islands, raising concerns in Turkey.

Athens plans to deploy Israeli-made Spike NLOS and PULS systems and French Exocet guided missiles on the islands, raising Turkish concerns about a potential “missile wall” in the Aegean.

Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Bahçeli criticized Greece’s plans, calling them a violation of international law and good neighborly relations.

“Greece’s attempts to arm these islands, which have a demilitarized status, are a direct challenge to Turkey,” he said. “It’s an attempt to drag the Aegean, which we want to be a sea of peace, into a whirlpool of tension and confrontation.”

The country also received its final Rafale fighter jet from France on January 9, completing a 24-aircraft fleet acquisition that could shift air power balance to Athens at the expense of Turkey.

A defense analyst and Hellenic Army veteran attributed Greece’s military aircraft acquisitions to Turkish regional threats. “The answer is simple: Turkey and the threat it poses to Greece and the wider security of the eastern Mediterranean,” Stavros Atlamazoglou wrote in an analysis on November 2.

Greece maintains one of NATO’s largest air fleets with 227 fighter jets, more than Britain or France. The fleet includes F-16s with Block 70/72 “Viper” upgrades, Mirage 2000-5s, F-4E Phantoms and 24 Dassault Rafale F3R aircraft. Athens also plans to acquire 20 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets, with an option for 20 more.

Bahçeli’s warning coincided with Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” naval exercise across the Black Sea, Aegean and eastern Mediterranean January 7-16. The drills involve 90 warships, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The “Blue Homeland” doctrine describes Turkey’s maximalist claims over its surrounding waters, including territorial waters, exclusive economic zones and continental shelf areas in three seas.

During a speech at the exercise’s Distinguished Observer Day on January 9, Turkey’s Defense Minister Yaşar Güler discussed relations with Greece.

“We approach the development of relations with our neighbor Greece on the basis of these principles and are taking important steps to resolve the problems,” he said. “We believe that a permanent solution-oriented approach and an honest and constructive relationship will be in the interest of both countries.”

Güler criticized attempts to misrepresent Turkey’s actions as “historic expansionism and aggression.” He said Turkey’s defense of its rights in the “Blue Homeland” follows international law.

Echoing the defense minister’s remarks, MHP leader Bahçeli reiterated Turkey’s stance on defending its rights in the “Blue Homeland.” He called for diplomatic solutions while warning against “the language of war and weapons.”

Bahçeli criticized Greece’s militarization of the Dodecanese islands near the Turkish mainland, calling it a “tragic blunder” with potential historic, military and political consequences.

“Let me state this clearly: The Dodecanese islands were usurped and stolen from the Turkish nation through trickery,” he said. “While Turkey can survive without the Dodecanese, the Dodecanese cannot survive without Turkey.”

He warned Greece against an “aggressive and expansionist policy” in the Aegean.

“Instead of resorting to the language of war and weapons, it would be wiser to strengthen peaceful diplomacy and good neighborly relations,” he said. “The clear loser of such a conflict, just as it was 103 years ago, will never be Turkey.”

Referring to the 1919-1922 Greco-Turkish War, Bahçeli cautioned Greece against “falling for the incitements of Western countries.”

“I advise the Athens administration to act with caution,” he said. “I believe everyone wins with peace. But if we have to fight to win peace, then it will be a celebration for us.”

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