Nicosia: Greek and allied forces are currently engaged in the multinational air and naval exercise 'Medusa', with full deployment underway and preparatory activities having commenced southeast of Crete on Thursday. Forces from Greece, Egypt, France, Italy, and Cyprus are involved, utilizing warships and fighter aircraft in a series of complex operational activities in the region.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the exercise holds significant geopolitical importance as it is conducted in a maritime area claimed by Turkey through its Turkey-Libya memorandum. In response, Greece has issued a NAVTEX to reserve an area in the southeastern Cretan Sea, marking the initial phases of the exercise.

The timing of this exercise is noteworthy, occurring just days after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's remarks at a trilateral summit in El Alamein with leaders from Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. This year's 'Medusa' exercise is conducted within the framework of the longstanding defense cooperation between Greece and Egypt, with participation from Cyprus and other European countries.