Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Güler referred to the "Blue Homeland" in his first message to Turkish naval soldiers. According to SKY correspondent in Istanbul Manolis Kostidis, Güler wished them a happy new year and then sent them a message saying "you are the protectors of the Turkish seas".
"Our Navy defends our rights and interests in the Blue Homeland, flies our flag from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Old men , heroes who are the protectors of the Turkish seas, you have Chaka Bey , Barbarossa , Chaka Bey and also Kilic Ali Pasha as your inspiration have succeeded and fulfilled all the tasks which have been assigned to you. Now that we are starting the second century of the Republic of Turkey, on the road we started with the vision of the "Century of Turkey", I believe that you will successfully fulfill all your tasks, that you will work hard to lead the strong and great Turkey in the future," said Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler.
Turkish media: the visit of Dendia is a provocation
At the same time, Turkish media reported on the visit of National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias to Lemnos, calling it a "provocation".
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"Lemnos should be demilitarized and Dendias visited the air base there", the reports say.
"With the New Year came the first news of provocation from Greece. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited Lemnos, which has a demilitarized status, and the minister visited the F-16 personnel there. Dendias made his provocative visit public by announcing it from his message on his social media account. The Greek minister said that "we are in Lemnos with those who defend our sovereignty"᾽. Dendias met with the 130th squadron and F-16 personnel and later visited the "Polemmistis" ship. Lemnos is one of the islands which should be demilitarized. Greece has stationed both soldiers and weapons systems on this island. When there is a normalization process between Greece and Turkey, Dendias made this visit on the first day of the year and Ankara's reaction is expected," Turkish TV network Haber Global commented.
Sudden postponement of the test flight of the first Turkish fighter "KAAN"
At the same time, SKAI correspondent Manolis Kostidis comments on the sudden postponement of the test flight of the first Turkish fighter "KAAN".
Turkish analysts point out that "we need to arm ourselves as the US gives weapons to Greece and Cyprus".
"Right now it will fly with two F-16 engines. The F-110 engines. That is KAAN will fly with two F-16 engines but we are also manufacturing our own engines," said military analyst, Abdullah Agar.
"There is a need to maintain a new air fleet. You see how the US is arming Greece with weapons , while building new bases in the 'Greek Cypriot administration' ( Republic of Cyprus)," pointed out Abdulkadir Selvri, a columnist for Hyrriyet newspaper.
Erdogan's son's rally against Israel
Finally, Manolis Kostidis also referred to the big rally against Israel that was organized in Istanbul and attended by Erdogan's son Bilan.
Bilan Erdogan called for, among other things, a "boycott of Israeli companies".
"We know that they are the same ones who caused the death of our soldiers and those who are committing genocide in Palestine. We know that only when we are united can we face these massacres," he said during his speech at the large demonstration.
For his part, the political analyst of Sozcu newspaper commented on this speech saying "Today Bilal Erdogan did the following asked for boycotting companies that have relations with Israel. What does he mean by that? As a citizen? As the president of the foundation? Everyone knows he's saying it on behalf of his father. He's saying this because he's Erdogan's son. Then Mrs. Bilal Erdogan, tell your father not to send an ambassador to Israel."
