Turkey’s defence ministry said on Thursday it is closely monitoring reports of Israel supplying an air defence system to Cyprus, Anadolu Agency reported.
Sources from the ministry in Ankara noted during a weekly briefing that “every attempt aimed at disrupting the balance on the island is being closely monitored, and all necessary measures are being taken for the security and peace of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’” — the term Turkey uses for the occupied north.
The same sources stressed that “the ongoing armament efforts of the ‘Greek Cypriot Administration’ [Republic of Cyprus] and activities that may undermine peace and stability on the island carry dangerous consequences,” adding that Turkey continues, as in the past, to support the north and guarantee the security of Turkish Cypriots.
Criticism of Israel over Gaza
During the briefing, defence ministry spokesman Zeki Aktürk also referred to recent developments in Gaza. He claimed that Israel’s ground operation launched on 16 September “further deepened the humanitarian tragedy that has been ongoing in the region for more than two years.”
“Israel’s attacks against civilians in Gaza and its provocative actions against neighbouring countries are clear indications of its intention to drag the Middle East once again into complete instability,” he said, calling on the international community to take immediate deterrent measures and adopt serious sanctions to restore peace and stability.
No change on S-400 systems
On reports that Russia had requested the return of its S-400 air defence systems, ministry sources clarified that “the S-400 systems remain in our inventory and there is no change in our position on this issue.”
Also read: Turkish unease over arrival of Barak MX in Cyprus
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