Greece marks refusal to align with Italy in WWII

Greece on Wednesday celebrated its refusal to align itself with Italy in 1940 and instead fight a much stronger opponent, a decision which dragged it into World War II and eventually led to a brutal occupation by Nazi Germany.

The main military parade was held in Thessaloniki but the Greek Air Force also sent warplane and helicopter squadrons to fly above the Acropolis in Athens.

The celebrations were held in line with COVID-19 restrictions.

Greece's National Public Health Organization (EODY) confirmed new 1,259 coronavirus cases and 12 deaths on Tuesday.

Greece has reported almost 33,000 cases of coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, including 593 deaths.