The naval forces of Turkey announced its willingness to carry out naval maneuvers, which they described as huge, off the Libyan coast during the coming period.
By this announcement, Turkey seems to believe that the Libyan coast is part of its waters, according to a report published by Libyan Al-Marsad newspaper.
The Turkish navy said that the expected exercises will be called "Naftex" and will take place off the Libyan coast in three different regions. Each maneuver will have a special name such as "Barbarossa", "Turgut Reis," and "Chaka Bey".
Turkish media, including the ruling party's Yeni Şafak newspaper, said that these maneuvers will take place soon, without revealing their timing.
They are training in anticipation of the outbreak of any war in the eastern Mediterranean, in addition to what was described as the escalating tensions witnessed in Libya in the recent period, according to Al-Marsad newspaper and other Turkish media outlets.
The Yeni Şafak’s reports revealed that these Turkish naval exercises will take place with the participation of 17 warplanes and eight naval vessels, in order to prove "Turkey's ability to control the region by air and sea and to prove that it is the dominant force in the region."
The Turkish newspaper also quoted experts who will participate in the exercises as saying that "It will be a message to the countries of Turkey's friends and opponents and shows how Turkish forces can be ready for a campaign within 24 hours.”
These experts added that “With these maneuvers, the eastern and western Mediterranean countries can be reached,” adding that “We want to reach every point… We also send a message to several axes, the first Operation “IRNI” of the European Union and Greece. As for the second axis, they are Egypt and Israel. The Third axis is the countries that intend to be our friend and enemy.
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Hayreddin Barbarossa[/caption]
Turkey has called its maneuvers after three real characters. The first one is Hayreddin Barbarossa, the Janissary pirate and the thief who later became the leader of the Ottoman fleet. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed, in one of his statements before the Turkish Parliament, that Libya was a legacy of the Ottoman fleet.
Turkey's Commander Hayreddin Barbarossa
Barbarossa was appointed to this position for his unrivaled theft skills and his closeness to the sultans. He contributed to the establishment of the Ottoman Empire and its maritime power, that he joined with his fleet in which he was practicing piracy with his brother.
In 1502, Barbarossa and his brother Oruç Reis made some efforts to impose control on the Mediterranean, as they gained great fame during that period thanks to the victories they achieved in Spain and Genoa (now southern Italy) and France. They succeeded to rule both Algeria and Tunisia.
Turgut Reis or Dragut Pasha
The second name is Turgut Reis. He was a Turkish pirate who entered this field at the beginning of the 16th century, accompanied by Turkish pirates who extended their control over the eastern seas of the Mediterranean basin and spread terror in the Italian ships coming from the archipelago of Venice.
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Dragut Monument in Istanbul[/caption]
Dragut joined the fleet of his fellow pirate Barbarossa, making him his right aide in his naval conquests.
In 1551, Dragut Pasha managed to control Tripoli after fighting the Maltese, and since that date, Tripoli West became the second Ottoman naval attachment in North Africa and he became a pasha (ruler) of Tripoli in 1553AD.
Dragut Pasha was wounded by shrapnel in the head during his attempt to invade Malta. Then, he died at the age of 80 years. Later, he was transported and be buried in Tripoli.
Chaka Bey or Tzachas
He was the commander and sailor of the Seljuks in the eleventh century. In 1071, he established and ruled an independent state based in Smyrna “present-day Izmir”.
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