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An image published by the Turkish state agency Anadolu, showing the island of Limnos on the news screen during the training of Turkish F-16 pilots, is interpreted by Greek media as an indication of a landing scenario in the Aegean...
A photograph published by the Turkish state agency Anadolu has reignited tensions in Greek-Turkish relations, while concerns are growing in Athens about the content of the large Turkish military exercise "EFES-2026".
According to Greek media, the image shows Turkish F-16 fighter pilots preparing for missions on May 8, as part of an air and naval amphibious exercise. In the background of the photo, the Greek island of Limnos is clearly visible on the operational information screen.
Analysts and media in Greece interpret this element as an indication that the Turkish military's training scenarios also include a hypothetical operation against Limnos, an island located off the coast of Asia Minor.
The photo was taken at Bandirma Air Base, where pilots of the 161st "Yarasa" ("Bat") squadron were preparing to participate in the "EFES-2026" exercise.
In the official description of the photo, Anadolu writes that the Turkish Air Force F-16 jets took off from Bandirma as part of the military exercise coordinated by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense and held at the 6th Central Command of the Balikesir Combat Aviation Base.
Efes-2026 Tatbikatı'nda taşık yapan misafir ülke ???????? #MillîSavunmaBakanlığı #Efes2026 pic.twitter.com/xwPgEuYX7t
— TC Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) May 22, 2026
The multinational exercise “EFES-2026” took place from April 11 to May 21 and included the participation of military forces from 23 countries, including the United States, Albania, Syria, Libya and North Macedonia. Military observers from 22 other countries, including Germany, Spain, Qatar and Brazil, also participated.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a speech given as part of the exercise, stated that the Turkish military has historically been a “guarantor of regional and global peace.” He added that developments in the Turkish defense industry will further strengthen Turkey’s role as a “factor of stability” in the region.
Havada HvBS, denizde ADVENT, karada BARKAN, karargahta BERTUĞ ile EFES 2026'ya güç kattık.????
— HAVELSAN (@HAVELSANResmi) May 21, 2026
Our President Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'ı tatbikatta üçüklan teknoloğılerizım ızınızındık.???????? pic.twitter.com/uhs4aVm9ei
The news and interpretations of the photograph were initially published by Greek media, which linked the incident to the tense diplomatic climate between Athens and Ankara regarding maritime jurisdiction issues in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
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