Turkish occupation forces have stepped up activity along the buffer zone, with residents of Athienou reporting the restoration and upgrading of military posts close to the community.
In recent years, construction work on fortifications and military positions has intensified, drawing complaints from residents of communities near the buffer zone.
Athienou is among the areas affected. The community has faced Turkish military positions inside the buffer zone since 1974.
Residents told Philenews that Turkish forces have recently re-established military points and outposts on the Turkish-occupied side of the buffer zone, very close to Athienou’s residential area.
The positions appear to have been upgraded with equipment resembling electro-optical or thermal surveillance cameras mounted on metal towers.
Residents said the installations first appeared about a year ago, under the stated justification of combating irregular migration.
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The Turkish military’s activities along the ceasefire line have not gone unnoticed by the Defence Ministry.
Ministry sources told Philenews that the installation of cameras by Turkish forces came in response to surveillance cameras placed by the Republic of Cyprus to monitor the buffer zone for irregular migration and illegal trade.
The ministry said, however, that there was no cause for concern in the Athienou area.
The new Turkish military works appear to form part of a broader network of fortified positions and outposts stretching from eastern Nicosia to occupied Famagusta.
One prominent example is the hill west of Athienou known as “Kastro”, which Turkish forces have turned into a fully fortified position with trenches and machine-gun posts.
