Ankara, Turkey. Turkish defence ministry spokesman rear admiral Zeki Akturk said a notice to airmen issued for airspace off Cyprus’ Karpas peninsula was “null and void,” citing a counter-notice issued by Turkish Cypriot authorities.
Turkish response to Notam
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Akturk said the “Greek Cypriot side” periodically raises similar issues that create jurisdictional confusion, which he said aims to disregard the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
He said Turkish Cypriot authorities issued a “counter-Notam” on Tuesday that “invalidated the aforementioned Notam,” adding that the Notam issued by the Greek Cypriot administration was “null and void.”
A Notam is a notice containing information essential for personnel concerned with flight operations.
Security and guarantor state statements
Akturk said that in recent years the Greek Cypriot administration has made Cyprus a target by allowing the accumulation of weapons on the island and permitting other countries to use the island.
He said Turkey, as a guarantor state, continues to take additional measures to ensure the security of the TRNC and the entire island, and added that Turkey’s “commitment to ensuring the rights, interests and security of the TRNC is unwavering.”
Akturk said Turkey has not hesitated, and will not hesitate, to exercise the rights granted by its status as a guarantor power.
Details of the Notam
The initial Notam stated there would be “possible military operations” in the skies off the coast of the peninsula, urging pilots flying through the area to “exercise caution, monitor the emergency frequency, and maintain continuous radio contact” with Cypriot air traffic controllers.
The latest iteration of the Notam makes no reference to the United States, though earlier iterations stated the US military may be conducting activities in the area.
What impact could the Notam and counter-Notam have on flights operating near the Karpas peninsula?