Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus has strengthened surveillance along the Green Line with modern monitoring systems, while much of the barbed wire previously installed along the buffer zone has been removed.
Upgraded monitoring along the ceasefire line
Officials told the Cyprus News Agency on Thursday that the defence ministry and the police, through the national guard general staff, have upgraded surveillance capabilities over the past three years using cameras and other audiovisual equipment positioned at selected points along the ceasefire line.
Sources said surveillance is continuous and operates on a 24-hour basis. They added that when anything is detected, liaison officers communicate with each other about next steps and how to act.
Coordination with UNFICYP
The sources said the National Guard works in close coordination with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (Unficyp).
Barbed wire removal and remaining exceptions
Officials said most of the barbed wire installed in previous years has been dismantled, except in limited areas where terrain conditions such as ravines or difficult ground prevent its removal.
The sources said monitoring has been upgraded to be more effective and immediate, adding that many details are not publicised.
Areas described as difficult to supervise
Particular attention remains focused on areas considered difficult to supervise fully.
Officials said the village of Pyla operates under a special regime because it is monitored directly by the UN and has no formal checkpoint. Other areas near Avlona were also described as challenging because of the terrain.
What do you think the upgraded monitoring and barbed wire removals could mean for daily activity along the Green Line?