NATO allies are facing off in the Eastern Mediterranean. The conflict could entangle the entire region

By Gul Tuysuz, CNN

Turkey’s Oruc Reis seismic vessel, escorted by Turkish navy, in the Eastern Mediterranean on Aug. 20, 2020.

(CNN)Tension is simmering in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean as Greece and Turkey, NATO allies but historic rivals, inch toward a possible military confrontation that could end up engulfing the region.Naval vessels from both countries made a show of force in the contested region of the Eastern Mediterranean this week as a race for gas and oil reserves adds a new point of friction to old disputes.

Hostilities first flared when Ankara announced that it is extending the duration of a seismic exploration mission in the disputed waters originally expected to end on Monday in a maritime navigational note using the global NAVTEX system.

The Oruc Reis survey vessel is accompanied by naval ships and the Turkish defense ministry announced maritime exercises in the area on Tuesday.Greece considers the Turkish gas exploration illegal. A

thens responded to Ankaraby issuing a counter NAVTEX message and announcing naval exercises in the same location to the south of Turkey and the Greek island of Kastellorizo, which lies just over one mile from the Turkish coast……more here

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