Cyprus has lodged formal protests after Turkish F-16 fighter jets flew into its flight information region (FIR) on Thursday, in what authorities described as a new escalation in tensions. According to Cypriot public broadcaster RIK, four Turkish aircraft participating in a military parade in the island’s north entered the Nicosia FIR in pairs, flying illegally over the area of Famagusta.
Shortly afterward, two additional Turkish jets conducted low, provocative passes over the United Nations-controlled buffer zone near the Kaimakli district. Residents recorded the flyovers and posted the footage on social media, further heightening public concern.
Cypriot air-defense systems tracked the aircraft throughout their route, with authorities confirming that monitoring mechanisms were activated immediately. The National Guard and the Ministry of Defence filed complaints with the United Nations and other relevant international bodies, condemning what they described as a deliberate challenge by Turkey.
The airspace violation comes only hours after Turkish officials in the island’s north reiterated political statements advocating a “two-state” approach and claims of “sovereign equality,” positions rejected by the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus.
Adding to the controversy, Turkey’s Ministry of Defence posted a photograph on its official account on X showing a Turkish pilot saluting against the backdrop of the flag used by the administration in the island’s north, accompanied by a caption praising what it called a “blessed epic.”
Cyprus has condemned the actions as destabilizing and continues to pursue diplomatic channels to address the latest incident.
