Turkey was holding naval exercises with fellow NATO members at a time of crisis in strained ties with alliance states, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.

Turkey on Wednesday was preparing to wind up naval exercises with fellow NATO members being held at a time of a crisis with alliance states and controversy over Ankara's plan to purchase weapons from Russia, the report said.

The NATO exercises, focused on submarine rescue operations and called "Dynamic Monarch," were taking place in Turkish waters in the Mediterranean Sea off the resort city of Marmaris.

The naval exercises involved 1,000 personnel and nine countries including France, Britain and the United States.

The drill, the first in Turkey since 2000, is aimed at demonstrating multinational submarine rescue cooperation and interoperability.

But its hosting by Turkey is also a symbol of Ankara's importance within the alliance during a tense period.

A NATO official said "Turkey is essential for the security of Europe. It has NATO's second largest army and makes an important contribution to the alliance."

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