Vessel under fire of Turkish patrol boat was on regular patrol – What the rules of engagement provide for

Defence Redefined

16/07/2021

This incident of provocation by the Turkish patrol boat opening fire against a Coast Guard vessel in the morning in the sea area of Kato Pyrgos Tillyrias was commented on by Spokesperson Police Headquarters Christos Andreou.

 

In his statements to CNA, the Spokesperson of Police Headquarters stated that this morning around 03:30 a small boat of the Port and Maritime Police, which was on regular patrol in the sea area of ​​Pyrgos Tillyrias in order to deal with irregular immigration and the flows of immigrants to the area coming from Turkey, was approached by a Turkish patrol boat, 25-30 meters long, coming from the occupied territories, while it was 11 nautical miles within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus.

The boat of the Coast Guard, which consisted of three members, seeing the intentions of the Turkish patrol boat and to avoid any incident, headed to the fishing shelter Kato Pyrgos Tillyrias, said Mr. Andreou.

At a distance of 4 nautical miles from the shelter, the boat of the Port Police came under the warning shots of the Turkish patrol boat. Then, only in a short distance from the shore, the Turkish patrol boat left for the occupied territories, concluded Mr. Andreou.

As to why the Port Police vessel did not return fire, in case it was equipped with a small-caliber machine gun, the rules of engagement, according to the Police, provide that the crew can return fire only when it is directly threatened by incoming fire, that is, the boat or the staff is directly targeted or close by. 

On the part of the Police, the only information is that the incident has taken the path of politics and the next moves are expected. 

Also read: Turkish patrol boat fires warning shots against a Coast Guard vessel