“Every attempt to disrupt the balance on the island is closely monitored” stated a Turkish official, expressing Ankara’s displeasure regarding reports about Cyprus acquiring an Israeli air defense system, declaring that Turkey will act to ensure security in the northern part of the island. It should be noted that Cypriot media had reported last December that Cyprus had completed -and ultimately replaced- the older Russian Tor M1 system, receiving the “Barak MX” air defense system from Israel. Since then, the Cypriot government has reported two additional deliveries, with the latest taking place last week. However, Cypriot authorities avoid revealing their procurement programs due to ongoing tensions with Turkey.
Read: Nicosia activated the Iron Dome: Turkey nervous about Cyprus’ new air defense system
Cyprus: Self-evident duty and obligation in defense
Specifically, the official from Turkey’s Defense Ministry, speaking to journalists on Thursday under anonymity, stated that the continuous armament efforts by Cyprus and “activities that undermine peace and stability on the island could have dangerous consequences.” “Every attempt to disrupt the balance on the island is closely monitored and all necessary measures are taken for the security and peace of ‘TRNC’,” he added.
However, Cyprus’ Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas stated earlier this week that Cyprus is a peaceful and democratic country that has been under occupation for 51 years. “As long as there is occupation and no political solution (to the island’s division), we have the self-evident duty and obligation to ensure the defenses of the Republic of Cyprus,” he noted. It should be noted that Turkey is a fierce critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, while Cyprus maintains close relations with Tel Aviv. Russia has been a key military equipment supplier to Cyprus for decades, but agreements had begun declining even before the European Union imposed a full embargo on Russian exports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions have left Cyprus’ existing defense systems without spare parts and unable to be upgraded, as a senior Cypriot source told Reuters last year.
