Turkey has warned Cyprus against turning the island into a target in the war against Iran, accusing it of allowing the build-up of weapons and the use of its territory for foreign military operations, as NATO moves to reinforce air defences at Incirlik air base, according to the Turkish pro-government newspaper Daily Sabah.
The newspaper reported that Turkish Defence Ministry sources said Cyprus had, in recent years, made the island a target by permitting weapons accumulation and allowing other countries to use it for military purposes. “As a guarantor country, our country continues to take additional measures to ensure the security of not only [the occupied north] but the entire island,” the sources were quoted as saying.
The ministry also rejected as “null and void” a recent notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by Cyprus covering a wide maritime area to the south and east of the island, including airspace up to 5,486 metres. The notice — which originally cited “U.S. military operations” before being revised to read “possible military operations” — advised pilots to exercise caution and maintain contact with Cypriot air traffic control. Authorities in the occupied north issued a counter-NOTAM declaring the Cypriot notice invalid and asserting that aeronautical services in the area fall under their jurisdiction.
The remarks were made at a weekly press briefing at the 10th Main Jet Base Command in Incirlik, Daily Sabah reported.
The dispute comes amid heightened regional tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Earlier this month, a drone struck the British base at RAF Akrotiri; Cypriot authorities said it was likely launched by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Several European countries subsequently pledged air defence systems to Cyprus, and France deployed an aircraft carrier, a frigate and air defence units to the Mediterranean. Turkey deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to the occupied north on 9 March, describing the move as a deterrence measure against rising missile and drone threats.
Separately, Daily Sabah reported that NATO is deploying an additional Patriot missile battery at Incirlik, days after a third Iranian ballistic missile was shot down over Turkish airspace. A ministry official confirmed the new PAC-3 system would complement an existing Spanish Patriot battery already stationed at the base. The country whose troops will operate the new system was not specified.
Turkey has said it has maintained a neutral position in the conflict and has repeatedly assured that its Patriot systems were not used against Iran. Iranian officials have denied firing at Turkey, though the Turkish foreign minister said available data showed the missiles originated from Iran.
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