Cyprus protests Turkish violations of airspace

Cyprus has protested to the United Nations new violations of its national airspace by military aircraft of the Turkish Air Force during yesterday’s celebrations in the Turkish- occupied areas of the Republic, on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus.

According to a spokesman of the Cyprus Defence Ministry, the violations were recorded on Sunday noon when four military aircraft F5 that took off from the illegal airport of Lefkoniko, initially headed south, then they turned north and finally landed back at Lefkoniko airport.

“They flew provocatively over the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, at a depth of approximately one kilometer”, the Spokesman said, adding that the Republic has made representations over the violations.

Turkish troops occupy Cyprus' northern part since they invaded in 1974. Turkish fighters often violate Cyprus' national air space and Nicosia FIR, jeopardizing air traffic safety.