Turkey Deploys F-16 Fighter Jets to Northern Cyprus amid Middle East Escalation

Illustration of three F-16C fighter jets belonging to the Turkish Air Force. (Wikimedia Commons/US Air Force/Tech Sgt. Jessica Avallone)

JAKARTA - The Turkish Ministry of Defense on Monday said Ankara deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to Northern Cyprus to increase the security of the Turkish community there amid the escalation in the Middle East, adding that additional measures would be taken if necessary.

One of Europe's main military powers has stepped up its military deployment to the ethnically divided island in recent days, after an Iranian drone, which security officials say was fired by Hezbollah, an Iranian ally in Lebanon, hit the British Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus last week.

"In the context of the latest developments in our region, six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems have been deployed to the Republic of Northern Cyprus, starting today," the ministry said in a statement, adding that this was part of a phased plan to strengthen the security of the breakaway country. , reported Al Arabiya from Reuters (9/3).

"As a result of the evaluation that will be carried out depending on developments, additional measures will continue to be taken, if necessary," the ministry added.

Turkey itself does not recognize the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot Government and is a member of the European Union on the south of the island, and is the only country that recognizes the Turkish Cypriot state in the north.

It is known that regional escalation in the Middle East has increased since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28, which killed more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and injured more than 10,000 others, quoted from Anadolu.

Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and Gulf states that host US military assets.

Last week, NATO defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran into Turkish airspace, in a significant escalation of the US-Israeli war against Iran that has spread to a wider area.

NATO member Ankara warned Iran on Saturday against firing more missiles in its direction.

On the other hand, Turkey criticized the deployment of European troops to Cyprus as steps that risked dragging the island into conflict.