Occupying Turkish forces violated the United Nations buffer zone last Saturday evening by flying unmanned aerial vehicles over an anti-occupation event organised by the Municipality of Famagusta in Deryneia.
The drones took off from the occupied areas of Cyprus and flew very close to the gathering, where the main speaker was President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides. Reports also indicated that sounds from the occupied Turkish garrisons were heard during the event in an apparent attempt to disrupt the proceedings.
Provocations Amid Cyprus Peace Efforts
These actions come at a sensitive time for the Cyprus issue. In his statements, President Christodoulides strongly condemned the latest Turkish provocations.
“As long as we see progress and concrete steps towards a solution to the Cyprus problem, those who support the division of Cyprus — and I am referring to the Turkish side — will seek to create problems, new issues and difficulties,” the President said.
Officials view the incident as a targeted action designed to send political messages, create tension, and divert attention from ongoing efforts to reach a settlement on the Cyprus issue.
President Responds to Timing of the Incident
When asked whether the timing of the drone flights was coincidental, President Christodoulides replied:
“Certainly the Turkish occupation army may have wanted to send certain messages. I do not know who is behind this action, what preceded it, who gave the instructions, or why it happened.”
Calls for UN Condemnation
Greek Cypriot authorities expect the United Nations to take a clear position, condemn the Turkish action, and intervene regarding the behaviour of the occupying forces. They stress that the incident was not random and requires a full investigation and formal condemnation.
Such provocations, they argue, significantly undermine efforts on the Cyprus issue and once again highlight the aggressive posture of the occupying power at a critical moment in the peace process.
Nicosia has made clear that these actions cannot remain unanswered and that Cyprus retains a range of diplomatic options in response.