Nicosia, Cyprus. Reports of low-flying Turkish fighter jets over Nicosia and Kyrenia prompted concern among residents in the north on Wednesday, as local authorities said there was no danger and described the flights as routine.
Residents’ reports and official response
Comments circulating on social media about aircraft flying at low altitude led to questions directed at the north’s transport minister, Erhan Arikli. He said there was no danger and added that “we will not remain silent” regarding what he described as the republic “making a show of force,” in an apparent reference to the government’s proposed defence cooperation pact with France reported earlier in the week.
Claims about deployment at Tymbou (Ercan) airport
Arikli said the aircraft stationed at Tymbou (Ercan) airport “are not purely a symbolic deployment,” and claimed they form part of measures related to the protection of what he described as Turkey’s “blue homeland” (Mavi Vatan).
Turkish Cypriot media reports on routine sorties
According to Turkish Cypriot media, the flights were routine sorties carried out by Turkish fighter jets that have been deployed in the area for several weeks, rather than an indication of any extraordinary military activity.
Ongoing presence of Turkish F-16s
The presence of Turkish F-16 aircraft in the north has been ongoing, with previous movements linked to operational requirements and regional developments following a drone strike in Akrotiri and the presence of a European armada around Cyprus which was called upon by the government to act in its defence.
Have you seen or heard the low-flying aircraft reported over Nicosia or Kyrenia?