They proceeded to a joint naval exercise in the eastern Mediterranean Turkey – USA with the participation of the Turkish aircraft carrier Anadolu, according to what was reported by the correspondent of SKAI in Istanbul, Manolis Kostidis.

At the same time, the Turkish opposition accuses the government of not announcing the exercise.

“The activity that the AKP government hid was revealed by the US. It was revealed that TCG Anadolu conducted exercises with the USS Wasp which is in the Southern Mediterranean to protect Israel. Aydinlik newspaper revealed this exercise. According to data from the US Maritime Institute, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp conducted exercises with TCG Anadolu from August 13-17 in the Southern Mediterranean. Also participating were the ships USS Oak Hill and her frigate. Turkey Gokova. According to the US ship’s Facebook account, this naval exercise is a testament to our continued cooperation and commitment to maritime security. While Turkey’s Ministry of Defense always announces and publicizes its exercises, it did not do the same regarding this exercise and made no announcement.” Ulusal TV broadcast.

For his part, the vice president of the Republican People’s Party, Yanki Baggioglu blamed the Turkish government saying: “Since October they have been reacting to the US presence in the Southern Mediterranean. The president of Turkey and the representative of the government were saying “where is America and where is the Mediterranean, why are these ships coming here. US ships are a source of violence and they said these ships increase violence.”

And he continued: “Normally under these circumstances they could not do this exercise. But at the Ministry of Defense they probably said let’s not cause trouble on either side. They also thought about doing the exercise but not announcing it.”

Erdogan at the Majikert battle celebrations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrated the Battle of Majikert inside the replica of Seljuk leader Alp Arslan’s headquarters. There, according to Manolis Kostidis, he spoke once again in a strong nationalist tone.

Turkey