The Turkish Defense Ministry said Thursday it is monitoring the arrival of Israeli-made air defense systems in the Republic of Cyprus and has taken steps to safeguard the Turkish Cypriot north.
The ministry said in a written statement that “every attempt to undermine the balance on the island is being closely followed and measures are being taken for the peace and security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
The Republic of Cyprus, the internationally recognized government that controls the southern part of the island, has begun receiving Barak MX surface-to-air missile batteries from Israel.
The system is designed to intercept aircraft, drones and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 150 kilometers.
The deliveries are part of a defense agreement signed in 2021 and coincide with the suspension of a US arms embargo on Cyprus, which was first imposed after a 1974 conflict that divided the island.
Cypriot forces have relied on Russian-made Buk and Tor air defense systems for decades, but those have become harder to maintain due to sanctions on Moscow.
The new Israeli systems are expected to be positioned near strategic sites such as air and naval bases on the island’s southern coast.
Israel and Cyprus have deepened their defense cooperation over the past decade, carrying out joint exercises with Greece and the United States and signing agreements on intelligence sharing and training.
Turkey argues that such acquisitions risk altering the military balance and insists that its response is limited to protecting Turkish Cypriots.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkey intervened after a coup by Greek nationalists who sought union with Greece.
The northern part declared independence in 1983 as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), which is recognized only by Turkey.
The Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, while the north continues to rely on Turkey for economic and military support.