Tag: Middle East

Any Talks Regarding the British Bases Must Include the Turkish Cypriots

Statement on the Escalating Security Situation in Cyprus

The Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus campaign is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving security situation across Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean.

Recent developments on the island underline the seriousness of the moment. A drone strike on the United Kingdom’s RAF Akrotiri base in South Cyprus, followed by the interception of further aerial threats, has demonstrated how quickly the island can become exposed to regional conflict. In the days since, there has also been a visible military build-up in Southern Cyprus, with Greece dispatching fighter jets and naval vessels and France deploying additional defence systems and assets. The United Kingdom has also signalled that it intends to reinforce its presence around the island in the coming days.

At moments such as these, the safety and stability of both peoples of Cyprus must remain the overriding priority.

The United Kingdom holds an important position on the island. In addition to maintaining two Sovereign Base Areas at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the UK is also one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus. That role carries with it responsibilities toward both peoples of the island – Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots alike.

Yet much of the public discussion surrounding the current situation has focused almost exclusively on the British bases and the Greek Cypriot administration in Southern Cyprus. Far less attention has been given to Northern Cyprus, where approximately 20,000 British nationals live alongside the Turkish Cypriot people.

The safety and well-being of both British nationals and Turkish Cypriots cannot be overlooked. They are directly affected by regional instability and must be equally considered when governments assess the evolving security situation on the island.

FFNC has been in contact with relevant authorities in Northern Cyprus as well as members of the British community living there, and we will continue to follow developments closely.

For more than fifty years, Türkiye’s security presence on the island has served as the primary guarantee of safety and stability for the Turkish Cypriot people. That presence has played a decisive role in preserving peace on the island and ensuring that Turkish Cypriots remain protected during periods of regional instability.

At a time when tensions across the region are rising, that security guarantee continues to provide a vital element of deterrence and stability in Northern Cyprus.

The evolving geopolitical environment surrounding Cyprus must also be understood in its wider context. In recent years, the leadership of the Greek Cypriot administration has pursued deeper military cooperation with a number of external actors and defence partnerships in the region. Such alignments inevitably shape how Cyprus is perceived within the broader strategic environment of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Periods of regional confrontation require restraint, responsibility and careful leadership. Decisions taken on the island can have consequences that extend far beyond its shores.

The United Kingdom has faced moments like this before. In both 1963 and 1974 the UK failed to act in a way that prevented the breakdown of order and the tragedies that followed. At a time of rising regional instability, a serious question therefore arises: will the United Kingdom once again fall short of its responsibilities as a guarantor power, or will it ensure that the safety of both peoples of Cyprus is fully upheld?

FFNC will continue to monitor developments closely and engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the interests and security of both the Turkish Cypriot people and the many British nationals who live among them in Northern Cyprus remain fully recognised.

Peace and stability on Cyprus must remain the shared objective of all those with responsibilities on the island.