Cyprus leaders mobilize after Middle East fighting; humanitarian aid and travel warnings follow
On Saturday, Unal Ustel called the Turkish Cypriot cabinet to an emergency meeting as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified, and the Republic’s president said the government is ready to offer humanitarian assistance — developments that have left cyprus officials closely monitoring security and travel risks.
Cyprus ready to offer humanitarian assistance
President Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday that the Republic of Cyprus stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in the region. Christodoulides also said that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed him the British bases in Cyprus had not been and would not be used for the military operations in the region. That assurance was cited as part of the Republic’s immediate public posture as leaders weighed how to respond to unfolding events.
Turkish Cypriot government calls emergency meeting
Unal Ustel summoned the Turkish Cypriot cabinet to an emergency session on Saturday to "comprehensively assess the effects of the war and interventions launched against Iran on national and regional security balances, and the potential economic and energy-related risks, " Ustel’s office said. The meeting will also "address the latest developments in the region, potential security risks, and measures to be taken in the event of possible scenarios. " Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said the region urgently needs an order where rules and international law prevail, and stability and lasting peace are established through diplomacy and on a legal basis.
Officials noted that American representatives had visited Ercan (Tymbou) airport earlier this month to inspect its capacity for "evacuations, " a concrete step taken amid preparations for potential regional contingencies.
Advice for Turkish Cypriots and travellers
The north’s "foreign ministry" said it is "closely and carefully" monitoring the situation in coordination with Turkey’s foreign ministry and recommended that Turkish Cypriots in Iran and the wider region "remain in safe areas and closely follow the statements and warnings issued by local authorities. " The ministry set up a 24-hour service line at (+90) 533 851 40 06 for people seeking assistance.
On the travel front, the ministry said 37 Turkish Cypriots who had travelled to Dubai on holiday had contacted officials and were "in good health, " and that they are expected to return to cyprus once suspended flights resume.
Officials across the island are continuing consultations and monitoring developments; the immediate, confirmed next event is the planned return of those 37 travellers when commercial flights restart.
