Increasing participation of global powers under the name of anti-terrorism operations carried out against Daesh militants in Syria have led many countries to deploy aircraft carriers, submarines and frigates in Eastern Mediterranean, transforming the region into a military playground for global powers.
With Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom joining the airstrikes in Syria, deployment of weapons to the region has reportedly increased, while Eastern Mediterranean has become a region for such powers to showcase their military ability.
According to reports, the United States has USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) aircraft carrier, as well as three frigates, two destroyers, a warship armed with electronic warfare systems, and an air defense ship deployed in the Mediterranean. Additionally, a frigate equipped with Aegis Combat System, another submarine and two logistic support vessels are also deployed in Eastern Mediterranean to make up for the withdrawal of Patriot missiles.
France also deployed Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in efforts to boost its presence in the region following the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, which killed over 100 people. It also has two frigates and a submarine.
Belgium and Germany had also sent frigates to boost security for Charles de Gaulles.
Meanwhile, the U.K. has two bases in Cyprus, which used to be its former colony from 1922 to 1960. The base in Akrotiri is reportedly U.K.'s largest outside of its territory. Here, there are 16 warplanes, an AWACS type airborne early warning aircraft, two destroyers, a frigate and a submarine.
The Netherlands, which is a member of NATO, also has a frigate in the Mediterranean, while there is a Portuguese command ship, frigates belonging to Canada, Italy, Turkey and the U.S., and a refuelling vessel deployed in Eastern Mediterranean under the umbrella of NATO.
On the other hand, Russia, which is accused of bombing civilians in Syria and has recently violated Turkish airspace, has an air base in Syria's Latakia, and a naval base in Tartous. Three corvettes, two frigates, an intelligence vessel, two destroyers and two submarines have been deployed by Russia off Syria.
