Anti-war rally in Crete calls for closure of Souda Bay NATO base

Sunday, 17 May 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

An anti-war demonstration took place in Chania, western Crete, gathering hundreds of residents, local organizations, and civic groups in the city's central market area. The rally's primary demand was the closure of the Souda Bay NATO military base, located near Chania on the island's northern coast. Souda Bay hosts one of the largest and most strategically significant naval bases in the Mediterranean, and periodic protests calling for its closure are part of a long-standing local debate about the base's presence on Cretan soil. The demonstration was held peacefully in the market district of Chania city. Tourists visiting the area during or around the event may have encountered temporary congestion or reduced access near the central market. No disruptions to transport links or major tourist sites were reported. Chania's Old Town, port, and beaches remained fully accessible.