Turkish leader warns deployment of US warship near Israel will lead to "serious massacres"

Turkiye's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed criticism on October 10 towards the United States for deploying their state-of-the-art naval aircraft carrier strike group closer to Israel, warning that this move could lead to "serious massacres" in Gaza.

As reported by Reuters, this decision came in the wake of a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend. In response, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on October 8 that a carrier strike group, which includes the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier and warship ever constructed, would be relocated nearer to Israel.

Erdogan voiced his concerns during a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer who was visiting Ankara, asking, "What will the aircraft carrier of the US do near Israel, why do they come? What will boats around and aircraft on it will do? They will hit Gaza and its surroundings and take steps that may result in significant casualties there".

The Turkish leader has previously stated that Turkiye is prepared to mediate between Israeli and Palestinian entities in an effort to promote peace and stability in the region.