View source for Evros River incident

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Evros River incident
| place             = [[Greece–Turkey border]] at [[Maritsa|Evros river]], near [[Feres, Evros|Feres]]
| combatant1        = {{flag|Hellenic Republic}}
| partof            = [[Greece-Turkey relations]]
| combatant2        = {{flag|Republic of Turkey}}
| strength1         = 3 soldiers
| strength2         = 2 soldiers<br>Unknown reinforcements
| result            = Ceasefire
| casualties1       = 1 killed<br>1 wounded
| casualties2       = 2 killed
| date              = 19 December 1986
}}

The '''Evros River incident''' of 19 December 1986 was a [[Skirmisher|skirmish]] between Greek and Turkish soldiers along the [[Evros river]], near the town of [[Feres, Evros|Feres]] on the [[Greece–Turkey border|Greco-Turkish border]].<ref name="upi">{{Cite web|title = Greece demands apology, compensation for soldier's death|url = http://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/20/Greece-demands-apology-compensation-for-soldiers-death/1399535438800/|website = UPI|access-date = 2016-02-15}}</ref>

According to Greek reports, the incident began at 11:15 a.m, when a 3-man [[Hellenic Army]] patrol met with a [[Turkish Armed Forces]] patrol, along the Evros river border area. 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 fire on each other.<ref name="upi"/>

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 on a Turkish party.<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{Cite news|title = Three Killed in Greece-Turkey Border Clash|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-20-mn-4429-story.html|newspaper = LA Times| date=20 December 1986 |access-date = 2016-03-24}}</ref> That being said, the Turkish officials did not clarify which Greek soldier opened fire. <ref name="apnews">{{Cite web|title = Three Killed in Border Clash|url = https://apnews.com/article/1a2031e0f5d83ecd80869f3dc612a721|work = AP News|date = 1986-12-20}}</ref>

The resulting action lasted more than two hours, and saw other Turkish soldiers rushing to the scene of battle. Two Turkish soldiers, Lt. Hakan Turkyilmaz and Pvt. Mehmet Kalyon, were killed, while another Greek soldier was injured.<ref name="apnews"/>

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.<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> 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.<ref name="upi2">{{Cite web|title = Greeks, Turks exchange fire, no casualties|url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/10/18/Greeks-Turks-exchange-fire-no-casualties/9870529992000/|website = UPI|access-date = 2016-03-24}}</ref><ref name="Los Angeles Times" />

In response to the death of one of its soldiers, the Greek [[Ministry of National Defence (Greece)|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.<ref name="apnews"/>

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.<ref name="apnews"/> 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 ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:1986 in Greece]]
[[Category:1986 in Turkey]]
[[Category:1986 in international relations]]
[[Category:Greece–Turkey relations]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1986]]
[[Category:Battles in 1986]]