ISTANBUL: Turkey announced it would conduct a live fire naval exercise off the coast on Cyprus between Saturday and Monday despite the looming threat of EU sanctions.
Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean, sparking fears of more severe conflict.
In a message on NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, Turkey said on Friday there would be a gunnery exercise off the coast of Sadrazamkoy in northern Cyprus.
The announcement comes after southern European leaders warned on Thursday they were ready to back EU sanctions against Turkey if Ankara shunned dialogue.
The issue will be discussed again at a EU summit on 24-25 September.
Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel and a small navy flotilla to waters claimed by Greece on August 10.
Greece then responded by shadowing the Turkish ships and staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates in its own show of force.
The Oruc Reis is supposed to remain in the disputed waters until Saturday.
Turkey to conduct naval exercises off Cyprus coast
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Turkey to conduct naval exercises off Cyprus coast
- Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean
Israel renews demolition order for refugee camp football pitch near Bethlehem
- The Aida field has been scheduled for demolition since November
LONDON: Israeli authorities on Monday renewed a demolition order for a seven-a-side football pitch in Aida Refugee Camp, north of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Munther Amira, head of the Aida Youth Center, said Israeli forces had informed the charity of the order to demolish the football field, claiming it was built without a permit.
He added that they posted the demolition order at the pitch gate in the Khallat Hamama area, on the outskirts of the Aida camp near the separation wall, according to official news agency Wafa.
The order gives the site owners a week to demolish it; otherwise, the Israeli authorities, which maintain a military occupation in the area, will carry out the work and the owners would be subject to fines and potential imprisonment.
The Aida football field has been scheduled for demolition since November last year.
