Ankara is considering the deployment of fighter jets in order to ensure the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, broadcaster TRT Haber reported.
Turkey is considering deploying four F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus as the conflict in Iran has spurred tensions on the divided Mediterranean island.
The Turkish defense ministry is mulling the deployment of the fighter jets in order to ensure the security of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, according to a report by state-owned broadcaster TRT Haber, citing ministry sources.
The deployment of fighter jets is one of several measures being considered in response to tensions on Cyprus, the report said.
Turkey’s potential move comes as the island, split between a Turkish-backed breakaway state in the north and the Greek-speaking EU member state of Cyprus in the south, has been targeted in a series of drone and missile strikes since the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran started a week ago.
The Republic of Cyprus houses the British airbase at Akrotiri, which was targeted by drones in the opening days of the Israeli-U.S. campaign against Iran.
The Iranian threat to Cyprus has triggered various European countries, including Greece, France and the U.K., to move military hardware toward the eastern Mediterranean island.
On Monday, Greece deployed four F-16 aircraft to Cyprus, according to a government spokesperson for the island state.