The Netherlands has raised its travel advisory for Cyprus to yellow and is set to deploy a naval frigate to the Eastern Mediterranean to help protect Cyprus from attacks, joining Greece, Spain, France and Britain in the regional military build-up.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cyprus told in-cyprus that the travel advisory was updated on 2 March in response to developments during the war against Iran, including the cancellation of flights to and from Cyprus by a number of international airlines.
Amsterdam has decided to send the air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805) to support the strike group of the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The vessel is currently sailing alongside the Charles de Gaulle, which had until recently been deployed in the Baltic Sea. Dutch officials say the frigate is capable of defending a full fleet formation and carries approximately 200 personnel, including command staff.
According to Dutch media, the country’s lower house, the Tweede Kamer, on Wednesday examined a letter from foreign affairs and defence ministers Tom Berendsen and Dilan Yeşilgöz stating that the Cabinet, at France’s request, is examining the feasibility and possibility of the deployment.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that violence linked to military operations in the Middle East could occur in Cyprus, and urged travellers to stay away from military bases, including the British Sovereign Base Areas.
The advisory follows a drone strike on a British air base in Cyprus on the night of Sunday to Monday. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides identified the drone as an Iranian Shahed model. The attack came after the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28.
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