Turkey Threatens to Launch 'Military Operations' in the Mediterranean

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Fayez al Sarraj, head of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) | (File photo: Presidential Press Office)
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Fayez al Sarraj, head of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) | (File photo: Presidential Press Office)
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Turkey Threatens to Launch 'Military Operations' in the Mediterranean

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Fayez al Sarraj, head of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) | (File photo: Presidential Press Office)
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Fayez al Sarraj, head of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) | (File photo: Presidential Press Office)

Turkish authorities threatened the use of force to “protect their interests” in the eastern Mediterranean region, praising the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), chaired by Fayez al-Sarraj, on the demarcation of the maritime borders in the Mediterranean region.

The spokesman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK), Omer Celik, said his country uses force to protect its national interests in the event there was a desire to establish a Turkish opposition organization anywhere.

Celik was referring to the trilateral agreement announced by Greece, Cyprus, and Israel on the gas pipeline to Europe during 2020, as well as the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum led by Egypt.

Speaking at AK’s Central Executive Board meeting, Celik noted that through the MoU signed with the GNA, Turkey has responded in a legal and diplomatic way to anyone trying to impose a specific policy and ignore its interests in the eastern Mediterranean.

He confirmed that the Turkish air force will continue to raise its flag in the eastern Mediterranean and that Ankara will only consider its national interests.

For his part, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said his country will stick to the memorandum it has concluded with Libya.

Oktay Turkey and Libya have the right to make joint decisions on maritime boundaries with their neighbors.

“When the stability of the region is at stake, we will make the necessary military cooperation and walk with our friends,” Oktay added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was ready to increase its military support to Libya if necessary and would evaluate ground, air, and marine options.

On December 21, the Turkish Parliament approved an MoU on security and military cooperation with Sarraj government. It included cooperation in the areas of security and military training, defense industries, counter-terrorism, and illegal migration.

They are also cooperating on logistics and maps, military planning, transfer of expertise, and the establishment of a mutual defense and security cooperation office if requested.



At Least 15 Killed in Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church

A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
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At Least 15 Killed in Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church

A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

At least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria's capital Damascus on Sunday, security sources said.

Syria's interior ministry said the suicide bomber was an ISIS member. He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, the ministry added in a statement.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.

Syria's state news agency cited the health ministry as putting the preliminary casualty toll at nine dead and 13 injured.

Some local media reported that children were among the casualties.

A livestream from the site by Syria's civil defense, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered church pews and masonry.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack.

“This cowardly act goes against the civic values that brings us together,” he said in a post on X. “We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship ... and we also affirm the state’s pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organizations and to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety.”