Prominent Turkish historian warns: Hagia Sophia must be closed forever to prevent it from collapsing

“If they don’t close Hagia Sophia it will collapse. It must be closed forever and permanent restoration works must be carried out” warns a distinguished historian-academic from Turkey, as Manolis Kostidis broadcasts from the studio of SKAI.

The Turkish academic has long expressed his opposition to the free entry of tens of thousands of visitors who strain the monument.

Journalist Fatih Altaili commented to his guest: “You always said that the Hagia Sophia can’t stand so many visitors.”

Historian Ilber Ortaili replied: “It certainly does not hold.”

The reporter asked, “Can so many people be allowed into a 1,500-year-old building?”

Ortaili replied: “Of course not. That is why it should be closed and restored. Eternal restoration. Up until now he has been dealing with restoration at the top points. These were for samples. They have to deal with the base, the foundations. The underground arcades of (Agia Sophia) reach up to the palace (Topkapi)”.

The journalist asked: “So Hagia Sophia will be closed?” Will they close it completely?”

“If they have a mind they will close it. This is no joke. If it is not closed it will collapse! The collapse will begin. For example, the same thing happens in Agia Irini where whole stones fall”.

The matter of Sweden and the F-16s

Analysts comment that “Ankara may delay approving Sweden’s accession to NATO, due to the terrorist attack”

There are predictions that congressional approval for the procurement of F-16s may be delayed until 2024.

The Turkish media is preparing public opinion for the possibility that the new F-16s will not come. “The Turkish KAAN fighter will be better than the F-16s we want to get,” they say.

Haber Global anchor Salih Naiman said: “The F-16 is what we have. It is 15 meters long, while Kaan will be 21 meters, so it is designed. After all we have seen it and it is big compared to other aircraft like the Hurkius. The others next to Kaan looked small. The F-16 is 5 meters tall, the Kaan is 6 meters tall.”

He continued: “Kaan seems to be a bit slower in speed. The range of the F-16 reaches 2200 kilometers while the Kaan’s at 2222. According to what we see, the Kaan will be longer than the F-16. Will it be better?’

Strategic analyst Abdullah Cifci commented: “This trial is now starting in Turkey. The Kaan will definitely be a better fighter than the F-16.”

Preparations for the Greece-Turkey consultations

In a few days the start of the political dialogue with the aim of meeting Mitsotakis – Erdogan on December 7th in Thessaloniki.

The “Blue Homeland” and Turkey’s positions on the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean are present in Turkish rhetoric, albeit at a lower intensity than in the past.