Turkish media reported that the Turkish forces issued a maritime notice in the eastern Mediterranean region to conduct a two-day maritime military exercise with live ammunition, starting today, Saturday.

While the Turkish Defense Minister called on Greece to avoid falling into the trap of exploitation by other countries he did not name, he said that it seeks to achieve its interests.

Last week, the Turkish forces conducted exercises with the peace forces in Turkish Northern Cyprus, in which air, land and sea forces participated, and included training on air strikes and combat search and rescue operations.

Earlier, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said on its Twitter account that it had conducted search and rescue exercises off the Libyan coast, with the participation of the "TCG Gmelik" frigate and a helicopter on board, as part of the activities of the Turkish Naval Task Force.

These maneuvers coincide with tension in the eastern Mediterranean, against the backdrop of Turkish-Greek disputes over Turkish exploration operations in the region.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed that its warships continue to protect exploration and geological survey vessels in the Black and Mediterranean seas.

The ministry stated in a statement on its Twitter page that it affirmed that its naval forces would continue to protect the ships that perform their duties in Turkish waters, namely the Basha Khair al-Din Barbaros, Reis Aruj and Al-Fatih ships.

The Turkish Navy will continue to protect ships that perform their duties in Turkish waters (Anatolia)

Avoid the trap of exploitation

In the context of the Turkish response, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar stressed the need for the neighbor, Greece, to avoid falling into the trap of exploitation by other countries he did not name, which he said is seeking to achieve their interests.

"We always remind them of this, I hope they are aware of this," he added.

Akar's comments came in a speech on Friday, on the occasion of the opening of the school year, at the Marine Corps and Amphibious Command in the state of Izmir, in the presence of Chief of Staff Yasar Guler, and commanders of the land, sea and air forces.

Akar stressed that whoever he called the countries weaving the plots of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean issue would be doomed to lose, as happened in history.

In order to reduce the escalation in the eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish minister called on some countries to remain silent, "There is no need for them to do anything, all they have to do is silence."

Akar stressed that Turkey has always supported resolving disputes in the eastern Mediterranean based on international laws, taking into account good neighborliness, and dialogue based on mutual respect.

A Turkish delegation participated, according to Akar, Thursday in a dialogue sponsored by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to reach a solution with Greece.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry described the statement issued by the sixth summit of southern European countries on the Aegean Sea, the eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, as biased, far from reality, and lacking a legal basis.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry called on Greece to abandon its claims that violate international law, and its claims to maritime spheres of influence.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that in the context of seeking to reduce tension, it is necessary for Greece to withdraw its military ships and support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The statement called on Athens to sit down with Ankara around the negotiating table without conditions.