The crisis in the Mediterranean: Turkish aircraft began operating in Cyprus

After the administration in the Turkish part of the island gave Ankara permission to use one of its airports, it took off unmanned and unarmed aircraft. Tensions around gas and oil exploration in the region have increased since Erdogan signed a maritime agreement with the government in Tripoli

The crisis in the Mediterranean: Turkish aircraft began operating in Cyprus

(In the video: In the background of the Maritime Borders Agreement: Erdogan said he is ready to send troops to help Libya)

Turkish UAV landed in Cyprus on Monday to help search for energy reservoirs in the Mediterranean - Turkey's head of the Defense Industries Administration said. This is the first landing of a Turkish aircraft in a port in the Turkish part of the island, after its local government on Friday approved such landings. The permit is valid for manned and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Cyprus, the EU member state, has remained divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974 following a brief coup sponsored by Greece. The government in the Greek part of the island, recognized by the international community, is in a long-standing dispute with Turkey over ownership of the island's coastal area, which is estimated to be rich in natural gas.

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First landing of Turkish aircraft in port in the Turkish part of Cyprus. Erdogan signs UAV (Photo: AP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Signs UAV at Bateman Province Military Base, February 3, 2018 (Photo: AP)

Turkey began oil and gas exploration off the coast of Cyprus earlier this year, sending two drills and a research vessel accompanied by unmanned aerial vehicles. In response, the EU has imposed sanctions on Ankara, which claims that some of the regions where Greek Cypriot ships operate are part of its continental shelf or in their areas to the Turkish Republic of Cyprus have rights.

Last month, Turkey and the government sitting in the capital of Libya signed a Mediterranean sea border agreement. Athens accuses Ankara of violating international law, but Turkey rejects claims and says the agreement is designed to protect its rights in the region. Yesterday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated the possibility that Turkey would send troops to Libya if the government in Tripoli, recognized by the international community, requested it.

Battle for gas: An agreement between Turkey and Libya exacerbates tensions in the Mediterranean