Turkey deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to occupied north Cyprus on Monday, its defence ministry announced, citing security concerns stemming from the widening conflict in the Middle East.
“In the context of the latest developments in our region, six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems have been deployed to the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ as of today,” the ministry said, adding that the move was part of phased planning to bolster security in the north. “As a result of the evaluations to be made depending on the developments, additional measures will continue to be taken if necessary,” it added.
Aşkın Meşeli, deputy director of the breakaway state’s civil aviation department, had earlier announced the deployment on CNN Türk, saying the aircraft were being sent for security reasons and that the move would not affect civilian flights.
The deployment comes after an Iranian drone struck the British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus last week. NATO defences also shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran into Turkish airspace last week, prompting Ankara to warn Tehran against further such incidents.
Turkey’s cabinet, meeting under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday, was also expected to discuss the ballistic missile incident, alleged US efforts to organise Kurdish groups against the Iranian regime, and the potential economic risks to Turkey from the broader conflict, according to Turkish media reports.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek were expected to brief cabinet members on all of the above issues.
Turkey does not recognise the internationally recognised, EU-member Republic of Cyprus and is the only country to recognise the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration in the north.
Ankara has criticised recent European military deployments to Cyprus as moves that risk drawing the island into the conflict.
(with information from Reuters)
