Turkey is weighing the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus after a drone strike hit a British base on the island, raising security concerns amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran and Hezbollah.
Turkey is considering deploying F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus as a security measure following a drone strike on the Mediterranean island earlier this week, a defence ministry source said Saturday. The potential deployment comes amid heightened tensions after the island was caught in the fallout from regional hostilities linked to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Turkish source said phased planning was underway to ensure the security of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a breakaway territory recognised only by Turkey. Among the options under consideration is the deployment of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft to the island.
The move follows a drone strike earlier this week that hit a British military base on Cyprus, an island nation that currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Cypriot authorities believe the Iranian-made drone was likely launched by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah from Lebanon rather than directly from Iran.
With inputs from agencies
End of Article
