Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that it will conduct joint military exercises with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The "Mediterranean Storm" maneuvers will be held from 6 to 10 September 2020 with the participation of the aviation, fleet and ground forces of Turkey, as well as units of the Command of the Security Forces of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The TRNC was founded after the Greek-Turkish conflict and the entry of Turkish troops into Cyprus in 1974. Officially recognized only by Turkey. The security forces of the TRNC have about 3.5 thousand people and perform the role of internal troops and border guards. On the territory of the TRNC, the 11th Army Corps of the Turkish Armed Forces, numbering about 40 thousand people, is deployed.

The main task of the exercise is to work out the tactics of protecting its water area and possible offensive actions at sea. "Mediterranean storm" is a demonstration of our will to resist those who are trying to limit Turkey to the Gulf of Antalya and ignore the rights of Turkish Cypriots, ”Vice President of Turkey F. Oktay tweeted.

Observers emphasize that military maneuvers are taking place against the backdrop of a sharp aggravation of relations between Turkey and Greece due to offshore hydrocarbon deposits in the Mediterranean. Experts believe that the exercise is Ankara’s response to the recent Greek maneuvers, which involved the aviation and navy of other countries, in particular France and the UAE.

Military observers, commenting on the maneuvers, draw attention to the following aspects.

First, Ankara is underlining its legitimate claims to energy resources in coastal waters by conducting joint exercises with the forces of Northern Cyprus.

Secondly, the exercises are designed to demonstrate the military power of the Turkish army and Turkey’s readiness to secure its economic interests by force.

In general, experts note the constantly growing tension in the region with a high risk of military incidents between NATO member states. The continuation of this trend can significantly undermine the authority of the alliance and its cohesion in the confrontation with geopolitical opponents - Russia and China.