Turkish Air Force launches Op. Olive Branch with 72 fighters

[marsavian]

Sultan is in full cry. This has time to play out before the first F-35 is handed over.

http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/it ... us/1061884

"What kind of NATO membership is this? What kind of NATO alliance is this?" he asked.

"As president of Turkey, [I say] NATO is not equal to the U.S., all countries [in the alliance] are equals to the U.S."

Erdogan also slammed remarks of Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk, the top U.S. commander in the anti-Daesh coalition, who said if Turkey hits Manbij it would face a sharp response.

"Those who say they will give a sharp response have not been hit by the Ottoman slap," the president said.

Erdogan also drew attention to recent natural gas exploration activities of Greek Cypriots, terming them as "opportunist attempts" in the Aegean Sea.

"Those who crossed their limits in Cyprus and the Aegean Sea should not make any miscalculation while taking advantage of the concentration of the incident in the southern borders of our country," he said.

He warned that Turkey would break such miscalculations around Cyprus and the Aegean Sea as it did along the country's southern borders.

"We suggest the foreign companies conducting activities around Cyprus not to be an instrument to any works which exceed their limits and powers by trusting the Greek side," he added.

"Their swagger will end when they see our army, warships, warplanes," he said.

[marsavian]

Turkey, US reach 'understanding' to normalize ties saying they will act jointly in Syria from now on.

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey- ... es/1065105
https://www.rt.com/news/418978-us-turke ... son-visit/ (last link includes the Tillerson press conference)

[marsavian]

Events just took another turn ...

https://www.trtworld.com/mea/turkey-s-a ... ates-14443

February 20:

Day 32 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin

14:44 GMT:

Syrian TV says Turkish forces shelling area where pro-Assad militants have entered Afrin enclave, journalists flee, the Associated Press reported.

13:50 GMT:

Pro-Assad militants, so-called "Popular Forces" have started to enter the Afrin region in northwest Syria coming from Aleppo, Reuters reported citing a military media unit run by the regime's ally Hezbollah.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43131600

[nutshell]

They forbid an italian drilling ship owned by ENI to enter Cyprus waters to do its thing.

Ofc, ENI had all the agreements necessary to act in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus itself.

Sheer high quality ally there :/

#freeaegisforgreeceanditaly

[marsavian]

Turkey is in dispute over the EEZ claiming that islands should not have the same rights as coastal countries as well as wanting Turkish Cypriot interests represented. This is how China is behaving in the South China Sea. Turkey will never be allowed in the EU at this rate with this rapacious behaviour.

Greek/Armenian American efforts to block F-35 sales.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/225918/arti ... f-35-sales