Brandon TurbevilleActivist Post
December 2, 2015
In another escalation in a flurry of gradual escalations that have taken place over Syria in the last few weeks, some reports are suggesting that Turkey has once again stuck its finger in the chest of the Russian bear. This time, only days after shooting down a Russian jet that was most likely over Syrian airspace in a planned provocation, the Turks are showing signs that they may be attempting to close the Bosphorus Strait to Russian ships.
According to reports from Sputnik News made only a few hours ago,
In a clear violation of international norms, Turkish authorities have created hurdles for Russian vessels passing through the Bosphorus Strait; as a result, dozens of Russian ships have been waiting for hours to obtain the green light from Turkey for passage, media reports said.
RIA Novosti quoted Viktor Kravchenko, former chief of staff of the Russian Navy, as saying that a possible unilateral closure by Turkey of the Bosphorus Strait for Russian ships would be out of line with international law.
"Turkey will not close the strait to Russian vessels en route to Syria because it would be a violation of international law and the Montreux Convention, in particular, — a document that was signed by most counties at the time", he said.
The 1936 Montreaux Convention on the Regime of the Straits governs the passage of ships both naval and civilian through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. Article 2 of the agreement states that "merchant vessels shall enjoy complete freedom of transit and navigation in the Straits, by day and by night, under any flag and with any kind of cargo, without any formalities."
