Turkey Threatens To Shoot-Down UAE Jets As Tensions Escalate In The Region

Turkey Threatens To Shoot-Down UAE Jets As Tensions Escalate In The Region

Turkish-Emirati relations are at an all-time low. With the ongoing tensions with Greece and the UAE coming out in support of Athens, the Turkish authorities have not hesitated to unofficially warn to ‘shoot down’ Emirati fighter planes if they come dangerously close to or do a violation of its airspace.

Turkish F-16s were scrambled to ward-off Greek F-16s which were heading for southern Cyprus where Ankara had issued a Nartex alert.

“We will not hesitate to shoot down any UAE aircraft if it approached the Turkish waters or the work area of Oruç Reis near Crete island in the eastern Mediterranean,” a Turkish defense source told Al-Quds Al-Araby.

official also stated, “The UAE is trying to play a role which is bigger than its size. It is playing with fire. If it violates the redlines or it approaches the Turkish waters, it will receive a harsh lesson,” escalating the tensions to a dangerous level in the east Mediterranean.

The recent traction in the relations of Turkey and Greece began when Ankara sent an exploration vessel, Oruç Reis, escorted by its warships near the Greek offshore island of Kastellorizo. Following this, the Greek forces conducted military exercises with the French and Italian forces in the sea, with the UAE sending its fighter jets to support the drills. Retures