Ankara condemns Black Sea attack on Turkish-operated tanker

2026-03-26 - 19:30

Türkiye issued a firm response on Thursday following an attack in the Black Sea against the crude oil tanker ALTURA, a vessel operated by a Turkish company and sailing under the Sierra Leone flag. The incident has drawn sharp concern from Ankara, which views the act as a direct threat to maritime safety and a violation of established international norms governing freedom of navigation. Ankara warns of escalating risks Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli addressed the incident publicly, stating that Turkish authorities swiftly conducted necessary inspections and technical assessments after the attack. He confirmed that all 27 Turkish nationals aboard the vessel are safe and in good health. Keçeli emphasized that such aggressive actions, occurring within the Black Sea exclusive economic zone, pose serious dangers not only to life and property but also to the marine environment and the safety of commercial shipping routes in the region. Türkiye reserves right to act In his remarks, Keçeli underscored that Türkiye remains in active communication with relevant parties to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the Black Sea. He reiterated Ankara’s position that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures under international law to safeguard its economic interests and maritime activities in the region. The statement reflects Türkiye’s growing concern over the spillover effects of regional hostilities into critical waterways where Turkish commercial interests are heavily invested. Regional stability under threat The attack on the ALTURA comes amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea, where commercial vessels have increasingly found themselves in harm’s way. Ankara has consistently called for restraint and the protection of civilian infrastructure, warning that any escalation could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability. With Türkiye maintaining a delicate balance in the region, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities facing Turkish-operated vessels and the broader shipping industry navigating contested waters.