Ankara, Mar 9 (EFE).- Turkey announced Monday the deployment of six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets and air defense systems to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as part of measures to strengthen its security amid the war in the Middle East.
The Ministry of National Defense of Turkey said in a statement that the deployment aims “to increase the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in light of the latest developments in our region.”
The six F-16 fighter aircraft and air defense systems will be deployed Monday to northern Cyprus, the ministry added, noting that additional measures could be taken depending on how the situation evolves.
The deployment of Turkish fighter jets to the island follows the arrival last Monday of four F-16 Fighting Falcon jets sent by Greece to the military base in Paphos Air Base in western Cyprus, after an Iranian drone attack launched from Lebanon targeted a British air base on the island.
The attack last Monday against the British base at RAF Akrotiri caused only minor damage to the runway at the military complex.
Greek fighter jets have since carried out several patrols and on Wednesday shot down two drones approaching Cyprus, according to local media reports.
France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom have also sent military ships to help guarantee the security of the country, which is a member of the European Union.
The island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when the Turkish military invaded the northern part of the island following a coup backed by the then Greek military junta that sought union with Greece.
Since then, the island has remained split: in the south lies the Republic of Cyprus, with a Greek Cypriot majority and a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
In the north is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with a Turkish Cypriot majority and recognized only by Turkey, which maintains tens of thousands of troops there. EFE
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