The Turkish Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a press statement on Friday, December 6, 2024, following media reports about the Republic of Cyprus’s plans to upgrade its armaments program, including reports that it was acquiring an anti-missile defense system from Israel.
The statement reads:
“We observe that the Greek Cypriot Administration has recently accelerated its armament activities. We share the views expressed in the statement made on this issue by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
We would like to remind that this misguided policy pursued by the Greek Cypriot Administration could further undermine the stability and peace of our region and will lead to an arms race on the island.”
Discussions about Cyprus acquiring military equipment, particularly from the United States or Israel, have been recurring with increased frequency and intensity since the start of 2024. Recently, Turkish media has amplified reports alleging that Cyprus is procuring an Israeli air defense system.
This comes amidst growing ties between Nicosia and Washington, the announcement of the U.S.-Cyprus Bilateral Defense Cooperation Roadmap, and the visit of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to the White House.
The developments underscore escalating tensions as Cyprus seeks to bolster its defense posture, a move Turkey claims threatens regional peace.
Turkish newspaper “Milliyet” reported that Cyprus had agreed to procure the Israeli Iron Dome, reporting that the first batch has already arrived in “Southern Cyprus,” as it calls the Cypriot Republic.
According to Turkish correspondent for Skai, Manolis Kostidis, the Turkish outlet reports that the first shipment of components for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system has arrived in “Southern Cyprus,” and the Greek Cypriot military has reportedly activated the delivered system. The government of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC) has criticized the move, stating that “the Greek Cypriot side is escalating tensions.”
