Greek experts: Probability of war with Turkey is increasing

Speaking to the Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Greek experts argued that it was possible that there would be military tension on the Ankara-Athens line by the summer, which would ignite a major conflict.

Concerns that the rapidly rising tension between Greece and Turkey may lead to conflict are also on the agenda in the international press. The Qatar-based publication Al Jazeera published a piece of news asking “Will the Turkey-Greece tension turn into an open conflict?” shared content covering answers received from experts and officials from the two countries.

RETIRED GENERAL: TURKEY EXPECTED US TO USE FORCE FIRST

Greek experts pointed out, June elections would be held in both countries, noting that it was possible there would be military tension that would ignite a major conflict until that period. A retired Greek general, a former security adviser to Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis, said: “I didn’t think there was a possibility of a war until 2019, but now my mind has changed.” Arguing that the recent statements coming from Turkey strengthened the possibility of a hot conflict”, he went on to say “When we look at Turkey’s strategy between 2019 and 2021, we see that they expected us to use force first. Now they understand that this will not happen, and they are trying to legitimize Turkey’s use of force first by portraying Greece as an occupying power on the eastern Aegean islands.”

“WE’RE IN THE TOP DEFENSIVE POSITION”

A Professor of International Relations at the Panteion University in Athens, who is also the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of Greece, said that the prospect of war in the country was causing great concern, saying: “We are in the highest defense position. I think Turkey will enter new crises.”