Nicosia, Cyprus. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said Cyprus “can now feel safe from Iranian fire” after Greece deployed two frigates and four fighter jets to the island following it being hit by an Iranian-made drone.
Dendias comments on deployment and readiness
Speaking to Greece’s Alpha TV, Dendias said Greece is “fully protected from possible fire amid the crisis in the Middle East” and that Cyprus can feel safe “following the dispatch of Greek forces to the island who rushed to protect the Cypriot people”.
He said the frigate Kimon, described by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday as the “pride of the Greek fleet”, is “fully equipped and prepared for a potential crisis”, while stressing it has not taken part in operations.
Dendias said the ship is “completely ready” even though it has “not been fully operationally integrated” into Greece’s naval fleet. He said that if it operates with the fleet, it will have difficulty communicating, but added that “in emergency circumstances, we can do it faster”.
Turkey and regional presence
Asked about Turkey’s presence in the region and in Cyprus, Dendias said that “Turkey understands the need that Greece has to defend its territory”.
He said the presence of Greek planes and ships is intended “to protect the entire population of Cyprus”, adding: “We offer a comprehensive service.”
Dendias said he had “no contact” with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler prior to the deployment earlier in the week, and that he is unaware whether Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan discussed the matter.
Turkey signals possible bolstering of forces
On Wednesday, Turkey’s defence ministry indicated it may be bolstering its military presence in Cyprus, posting a photograph on social media of Turkish soldiers arriving at the north’s Ercan (Tymbou) airport.
Mitsotakis focuses on Cyprus proximity to conflict
Mitsotakis told Greece’s parliament that “our attention is on Cyprus, which is much closer to the warzone than Greece”.
What do you think the deployment of Greek forces to Cyprus will mean for regional tensions?
