New Turkish provocation brings war closer

The Turkish navy has said a research ship at the centre of an energy rights row with Greece will be sent back to disputed waters in the Mediterranean.

Tensions flared in August when the vessel was sent to survey an area claimed by Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

Turkey withdrew its ship, the Oruc Reis, in September ahead of diplomatic attempts to resolve the dispute.

Now, Ankara has said that the ship will again spend 10 days conducting seismic research in the eastern Mediterranean.

The vessel will also be accompanied by two other ships, Ataman and Cengiz Han.

Greece and Turkey are both Nato members, but have a history of border disputes and competing claims over maritime rights.

This particular row was sparked when Turkey deployed the seismic research vessel and warships to the disputed waters on 10 August.