Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has criticized Cyprus for allegedly becoming an "operation center" for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. In an interview with Turkey’s HaberTurk television, Fidan warned Cyprus against getting involved in Israel's regional activities, stating, “When you become a part of the ongoing wars in the Middle East, this fire will come and find you too.”
Fidan asserted that intelligence reports indicate the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus is being used as a base for operations in Gaza. He advised Cyprus to stay away from the conflict to avoid potential repercussions.
Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, due to the island's division between Turkish and Greek Cypriots following a 1974 military intervention by Turkey. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Ankara, stands in opposition to the Greek Cypriot administration.
The foreign minister also criticized the Greek Cypriot administration for permitting two British bases on the island to be used for US arms shipments to Israel, suggesting that their designation as logistics bases for humanitarian aid conceals their true military purpose.
This warning follows a statement by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, who cautioned Cyprus against allowing its airports and bases to be used by Israel in the event of a new conflict with Lebanon. Nasrallah emphasized that such actions would make Cyprus a part of the war, and the resistance would treat it as such.