Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish tanks seen near the village of Pergamos between Larnaca and Famagusta had left the area by Thursday, the Cyprus Mail reported. The tanks had been spotted amid reports of tensions near Pyla.
Tanks no longer in reported location
Sources close to the matter told the Cyprus Mail the tanks were no longer where they had been on Wednesday, following reports of tensions in the area.
Unficyp: Tanks were north of the ceasefire line
Unficyp spokesman Aleem Siddique told the Cyprus Mail the tanks were at all times located north of the northern ceasefire line and were not in the buffer zone. Siddique also said there were no military assets inside the buffer zone.
Reports of flag in buffer zone disputed
Siddique said reports that a Turkish flag had been planted in the buffer zone did not correspond to reality, adding that the flag is located in the north.
UK base vehicles deployed as precaution
Due to Pyla and Pergamos being close to the United Kingdom’s Dhekelia base, British vehicles also deployed to the area. British bases spokeswoman Korina Orphanides told the Cyprus Mail the vehicles were deployed only as a precaution and took no action, indicating the tanks were outside the base.
Kibris Postasi cites claim over crossings and security measures
Kibris Postasi quoted military sources as saying the tanks had been deployed because Greek Cypriot authorities attempted to facilitate illegal crossings into the buffer zone near Pyla, possibly involving veterinarians, citing an outbreak of foot and mouth disease on the Greek Cypriot side. The sources said measures were taken to bolster the Turkish Cypriot security presence in the area.
Cyprus government alleges violation of buffer zone
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the incident amounted to the buffer zone being violated by occupying forces, in violation of the current regime and international law. He said the action aimed to challenge the status of the buffer zone and Unficyp’s mandate, and to create new faits accomplis.
Turkish Cypriot leader says calm prevailing
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said on Wednesday afternoon that calm was prevailing in the area and that his office was in full coordination with all authorities responsible for security.
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