Athens, April 13, 2025 – Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean are reaching a boiling point as Greece heightens its military readiness in response to what it perceives as escalating Turkish aggression. Recent reports indicate that the Greek Armed Forces are prepared to respond within five minutes to any perceived threat from Turkey, signaling a significant increase in vigilance.
The Hellenic National Defence Chief of Staff, Dimitrios Houpis, has publicly addressed Turkey’s “revisionist tactics,” emphasizing Greece’s commitment to resolving ongoing disputes regarding the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These long-standing disagreements have been a persistent source of friction between the two nations.
This heightened state of alert comes amidst other significant regional developments involving Turkey. Ankara has recently engaged in technical talks with Israel in Azerbaijan, aimed at establishing a de-confliction mechanism in Syria. The goal is to create a communication channel to prevent clashes between the two nations’ forces operating in the region. Simultaneously, Turkey has solidified its energy interests in the Horn of Africa by signing an offshore oil and gas exploration and production deal with Somalia.
While these diplomatic and economic initiatives unfold, the core issue remains the strained relationship between Greece and Turkey, particularly concerning maritime boundaries and resource rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek military’s increased readiness underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for rapid escalation. Analysts suggest that while open conflict is not inevitable, the risk of miscalculation or unintended incidents is growing.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can de-escalate the situation or if the Eastern Mediterranean is headed for further instability.