France, meanwhile, says sanctions against Ankara are on the table during European Council meeting later this month. Turkey’s armed forces on Sunday began annual exercises in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – an entity recognised only by Ankara – as tensions continue to rise with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean. Source Al Jazeera
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently warned Iraqi leaders that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad would close and all diplomats removed unless Iraq reins in on attacks by Iranian proxy militias on American military and diplomatic sites. The embassy is located inside Baghdad’s Green Zone. Source Sofrep
Saudi Arabia says it has taken down a “terrorist cell” that had received training from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, arresting 10 people and seizing weapons and explosives, while Tehran says the allegation is a “complete fabrication”. Source Al Jazeera
In particular, a spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of unilateralism and said his attitude is inelegant.
Ömer Çelik, the AKP spokesperson, even called on Pompeo to maintain a neutral stance because unilateral visits and statements give the wrong messages.
At the same time, he once again made provocative statements regarding Ankara’s intentions in Greek-Turkish issues in the East Mediterranean. Source Greek Reporter
