Evros River incident

The Evros River incident of 19 December 1986 was a skirmish between Greek and Turkish soldiers along the Evros river, near the town of Feres on the Greco-Turkish border.[1]

Evros River incident
Part of Greece-Turkey relations
Date December 19, 1986 Location Evros river, near Feres Result Indecisive
Belligerents
Hellenic Republic	Republic of Turkey
Strength
3 soldiers	2 soldiers Unknown reinforcements
Casualties and losses
1 killed 1 wounded	2 killed Unknown wounded

According to Greek reports, the incident began at 11:15 a.m, when a 3-man Hellenic Army patrol, guarding the border against the passage of Iranian refugees, met with a Turkish Armed Forces patrol along the Evros river border. It is claimed that a Greek soldier, Pvt. Zissis Karagogos, met with one of the Turkish soldiers, who offered to trade cigarettes, but on setting down his rifle and helmet, was fatally shot by a Turkish soldier lying in wait, leading to both parties opening engaging in hostilities.

According to reports from Turkish officials, the incident occurred on the Turkish side of the border and it was the Greek soldiers who first crossed the border and opened fire.[2]

The resulting action lasted more than 2 hours, and saw a small contingent Turkish reinforcements arriving. Two Turkish soldiers, Lt. Hakan Turkyilmaz and Pvt. Mehmet Kalyon, were killed, and possibly several wounded[3], while another Greek soldier was injured.[4][1]

Turkish and Greek soldiers have exchanged fire in the past, as Greek troops often have to stop refugees from entering the country illegally via the Turkish border, but this incident was the first in which there were casualties. Throughout this period, Greek soldiers along the border with Turkey were on alert, after receiving reports that Turkey planned to help thousands of refugees illegally slip into Greece.[5][2]

In response to the death of one of its soldier, the Greek Ministry of National Defence demanded an apology and compensation.

Turkish forces increased security along the border and the Cabinet met in emergency session. The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Greek Ambassador to protest the firing. While Greek forces in the area were put on high alert.[4]

In the end, both sides deemed the exchange a "local one" and did not escalate the situation. Top military and civilian authorities from both countries later met to discuss a border protocol aimed at preventing future confrontations.[4] Despite border tensions remaining high, violent clashes between Greek and Turkish soldiers have since been avoided.

See also

• 1987 Aegean crisis - border dispute between Greece and Turkey the next year that almost escalated into an all-out war.

References

1. "Greece demands apology, compensation for soldier's death". UPI. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
2. Three Killed in Greece-Turkey Border Clas
3. www.newsit.com.cy https://www.newsit.com.cy/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=208095&catid=3&utm_source=newsit.gr&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=top5box. Retrieved 2021-02-06. Missing or empty |title= (help)
4. "Three Killed in Border Clash". www.apnewsarchive.com. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
5. United Press International - Greeks, Turks exchange fire, no casualties