Turkey moves special forces to Sokh opposite Greek island amid rising tensions

Turkish authorities have ordered the transfer of a contingent from the 51st Raider Brigade to the coastal town of Sokh, directly facing the Greek island of Samos, a step described by diplomatic and military sources as part of Ankara's heightened rhetoric. Athens believes the shift reflects Turkey's irritation with its growing regional partnerships, notably with Egypt and Israel, and was intensified by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' recent visit to Kastellorizo.

A top Greek military source told the "Ef.Syn." program that the Hellenic Armed Forces are fully prepared to counter any threat, though they do not view the deployment as alarming. The sources also suggested the Turkish actions might be aimed at domestic audiences, noting the decision was made in June but only publicized recently as a response to Greek initiatives. The Greek foreign ministry, through spokesperson Panagiotis Giannakoulis, reiterated that Greece's sovereignty over its Eastern Aegean islands is governed by international treaties and that any defensive measures are lawful and justified.