Athens has reportedly set its naval fleet to a state of heightened readiness as both Greece and Cyprus tighten maritime security amid a growing dispute with Turkey over a contested sea shelf region, according to the AFP.

The navies of Greece and Cyprus issued a Navigation Telex (Navtex) high alert on Wednesday, in response to Turkey issuing a Navtex of its own the day before over planned drilling ship explorations in the area. The European Commission criticized Ankara’s Navtex over Turkish seismic surveys in the area, saying it conveys “the wrong message.”

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Turkish security forces have arrested at least six YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, across Turkey’s southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

“Six other PKK/YPG terrorists, who were found to be carrying out terrorist activities to disrupt the environment of peace and security in Operation Olive Branch area, were detained,” the ministry said on Twitter.

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Turkish warplanes on Friday, bombed the Shiladze and Hitouti areas of Duhok Governorate.

Our correspondent stated that the warplanes bombed the areas of Chiladze, the Hetute complex, and the Mount (Kurazhar) in Duhok governorate, indicated that the casualties were not known until now.

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A Turkish soldier has died on Sunday in clashes with Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters in northern Iraq, Turkey’s defence ministry said in a statement.

On June 17, Turkey launched an air and ground offensive against the PKK, which has fought an armed campaign against the Turkish state since 1984 and which is listed as a “terrorist” group by Ankara and its Western allies.

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Turkey was accused today of using chemical weapons in Monday’s bombing of Maxmur refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan, amid calls for an international investigation.

Some 80 other sites were also targeted, including Sengal refugee camp and alleged Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) positions in the Qandil mountains.

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