Greece sends armored vehicles to demilitarized islands

Greece has deployed armored vehicles to the Aegean Islands with
non-military status contrary to international law, reports said
Sunday. It was noteworthy that the landing ships sent military
vehicles donated by the United States to Lesbos and Samos.

The activities of Greece in violation of international law
toward the demilitarized islands were observed, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

According to information received from security sources,
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK)
performing mission flights in the Aegean detected a movement and
determined that two Greek landing craft were on the way to Lesbos
and Samos.

It was revealed that the ships in question delivered 23
tactical-wheeled armored vehicles to Lesbos and 18 tactical-wheeled
armored vehicles to Samos. It was noteworthy that the armored
vehicles were among the vehicles sent to Alexandroupoli (Dedeagaç)
Port by the U.S.

Security sources described these events on Sept. 18 and Sept. 21
as the clearest indication that Greece continues to arm the islands
close to Türkiye, violating their legal status.

The sources stated that weapons donated by the U.S. especially
were attempted to be placed on the islands. They evaluated these
aggressive actions of Greece, which is a NATO ally, as being
against international law and the spirit of alliance, and as “never
acceptable” against the calls for dialogue and good
neighborliness.

Emphasizing that Greece has violated the non-military status of
these two islands for many years and deployed weapons there,
security sources pointed out that with these latest shipments, the
tactical wheeled armored vehicles donated by the U.S. have replaced
some of the vehicles on these islands.

Recalling Türkiye’s efforts to find solutions to problems within
the scope of dialogue and international law, as well as its
invitations to come together for a solution, they said, “The fact
that Greece does not even attend the meetings despite all the
invitations and makes such provocations is a clear indicator of who
is increasing the tension and who is engaged in uncompromising,
aggressive and unlawful activities.”