Reactions to US Inspection of Tymbou Airport

Reactions have been sparked following the revelation that American officials inspected the illegal Tymbou (Ercan) airport in the occupied territories. This action contradicts the official US travel advisory, which recommends that citizens use Larnaca and Paphos airports.

According to a statement from the US Embassy in Nicosia, the inspection was carried out "for precautionary reasons," as some American citizens ignore the travel advisory and use Tymbou airport. The embassy emphasized that the safety of American citizens is its "highest priority."

However, this action has provoked reactions, as it is considered to de facto legitimize the illegal airport and the Turkish occupation in the occupied territories. It is noted that Tymbou airport is built on Greek Cypriot properties, and there are reports of buried Greek Cypriot missing persons in the area.

The "transport minister" in the occupied territories, Erhan Arıklı, stated that the visit took place "as part of periodic checks on the technical suitability of the facility." Initial reports on a website spoke of a CIA delegation, but it was later clarified that these were officials from the US Embassy.

Tymbou Airport does not accept direct flights. Flights stop in Turkey and change codes to land in Tymbou.