Turkey is accusing Israel for violating its air space over northern Cyprus five times earlier this week, on Monday. According to the report, Turkey scrambled fighter planes to distance the Israeli aircraft. AP states the report did not specify what type of Israeli aircraft was involved in the alleged violation.

In all actuality, there is most likely more to this than meets the eye since Israel and Cyprus are engaged in unofficial talks surrounding the discovery of a large offshore natural gas deposit under the Mediterranean in an area between the countries. Such a find has major fiscal potential if developed and both countries are looking in that direction.

Turkey on the other hand is not sitting by idly, insisting that drilling conducted last year off Cyprus violates the rights of northern Cypriots. In response, Turkey has also begun drilling, which resulted in sharp criticism from the government in Cyprus.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)