Just 24 hours before the new meeting between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman on Monday, Turkey is once again seeking an excuse to escalate tensions on the island. This time, government officials and media outlets in Turkey are reporting an alleged attack on Turkish Cypriots by Greek Cypriots following commemorative events marking the founding of EOKA.
New flashpoint of confrontation in Cyprus
Turkey’s Director of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, issued a statement yesterday describing an attack that threatens peace in the region. According to the announcement: “I condemn the attack carried out with stones and explosives by a group of supporters of the terrorist organization EOKA against civilians in the Roccas Bastion area of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This provocative action targeting civilians not only ignores peace in the region, but also international law and human values.”
A statement was also issued by AKP ruling party spokesperson Ömer Çelik, who demanded punishment of the perpetrators. “Supporters of terrorism must be held accountable before the law,” he noted, expressing support for Turkish Cypriots. This followed an earlier announcement from occupied territories’ president Tufan Erhürman, who stated that “certain groups from the Greek Cypriot Administration targeted citizens sitting in a park near the border area dividing the capital Nicosia” and called on the UN and the Greek Cypriot government to “urgently launch an investigation into the incident.”
Nicosia’s response: “The claims are being investigated”
The response from Cyprus Republic Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis was immediate, stating that claims regarding stone-throwing and firecracker attacks from free areas of Nicosia toward occupied territories on April 1, 2026, are being investigated by competent authorities. He added that the Peacekeeping Force has been asked to provide any evidence supporting their conclusions regarding the incident. “The Government condemns any action that causes disruption, tension or disturbance of peace,” Mr. Letymbiotis declared.
Mazis: Turkey will not seek to escalate tensions in Cyprus at this juncture
Professor Emeritus of Geopolitics Ioannis Mazis, speaking to parapolitika.gr, estimates that Turkey will not seek to escalate tensions in Cyprus, especially at this juncture when Israel has established a strategic relationship with the island. “Under no circumstances will it dare, especially over such foolish incidents, to confront Israel, which considers the free part of Cyprus as its strategic lifeline and strategic depth. Particularly at this critical moment when Israel is conducting operations in both Lebanon and Iran. And we know very well that Turkey cooperates with the Muslim Brotherhood against these operations underground.”
Amid this climate, on Monday April 6, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman will meet in Cyprus under UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Khassim Diagne, as announced last Monday by the United Nations.
