Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is sending two firefighting air tractors to France to assist efforts to contain wildfires in the country. The deployment follows a French request for assistance through the RescEU mechanism.
Aircraft deployment
The interior ministry announced late on Sunday that the two aircraft stationed in Cyprus are leased to the Republic of Cyprus by the European Union through RescEU.
Request from France
France submitted a request through the mechanism for help in combating the wildfires, and Cyprus responded by dispatching the two firefighting aircraft to support the French authorities.
RescEU mechanism
RescEU is the European mechanism for reserve civil protection means, activated to support member states in dealing with major disasters.