Christodoulides: "Turkey remains an occupying power" after F-16 deployment

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stated that Turkey remains an occupying power, regardless of the deployment of Turkish F-16s in the occupied territories. Turkey confirmed the dispatch of six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to the occupied territories, citing the need to enhance the security of the pseudo-state.

Mr. Christodoulides mentioned that he spoke by telephone with the Prime Minister of Lebanon and did not rule out the possibility of Israeli-Lebanese talks in Cyprus.

This move is considered a high political symbolism by Ankara, which seeks to show that it maintains control in the occupied territories and can increase its military presence in Cyprus. Turkey claims that the deployment of aircraft is due to regional instability.

Information about the arrival of the aircraft had been published by Turkish Cypriot sources, stating that the initial forecast of four aircraft increased to six, destined for Tymbou airport.