Turkey will send six F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus on Monday morning for security reasons, according to a Turkish Cypriot aviation official cited by Turkish media.
According to CNN Turk, Askin Meseli, deputy director of the breakaway territory’s civil aviation department, said the aircraft would be deployed to the north of the island on Monday morning.
Meseli said the jets were being sent for security reasons and that their deployment would not affect civilian flights.According to the report, sources at Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence said on Saturday that the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus was being considered in light of recent developments to ensure security.
Earlier, the Cyprus News Agency reported that Turkish media said Turkey’s cabinet would discuss the possible deployment of F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus at a meeting on Monday chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish media also reported that ministers would review gradual implementation plans prepared by Turkey concerning the security of the north of the island.
According to those reports, assessments will be made regarding the deployment of F-16 fighter jets in the self-declared “TRNC”, including when a final decision should be taken on the method and timing of the move.
The Turkish cabinet is also expected to discuss the launch of a ballistic missile from Iran toward Turkish airspace that was shot down.
Turkey’s position and the broader developments surrounding the incident will also be discussed during the meeting. Another issue expected to be raised is a claim that the United States is organising Kurdish groups to overthrow the Iranian regime, according to Turkish media reports.
Ankara has also pointed to what it says are long-standing Israeli efforts in the same direction, and ministers will assess those possibilities.The potential risks of war for the Turkish economy will also be on the agenda.
Developments that could negatively affect the ongoing disinflation process will be assessed and a comprehensive roadmap for possible measures will be prepared.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek are expected to brief cabinet members on these issues.