Cyprus is not involved in military operations or any conflict in the Middle East, but is only providing humanitarian assistance, Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letimpiotis said on Friday in response to opposition accusations of a concentration of foreign military forces on the island.
⠀
The largest opposition Progressive Party of the Working People of Cyprus (AKEL) earlier demanded that the government of Nikos Christodoulides answer whether the increasing use by the United States of not only bases but also the country’s infrastructure at such a critical moment is turning Cyprus into a bridge of peace, as the government proclaims, or is it makes him “part of the problem.”
⠀
AKEL said Christodoulides’ government must put the interests of Cyprus “above the interests and orders of any third countries.”
⠀
The party noted that the explosive military atmosphere in the region poses mortal security risks to all states and peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, and the continued concentration of US military forces on the island, both on British bases and beyond, increases these risks and concerns. AKEL said Cyprus should not be a base for foreign armies.
⠀
Cypriot government spokesman Letimpiotis called AKEL’s position “sadly irresponsible“, which, in his opinion, “keeps up with fake news.”
⠀
“When our country’s humanitarian role is recognized and welcomed by the entire international community, it is worth considering what the purpose of choosing to become the bearer of false news is… We expect that AKEL will not easily accept erroneous views aimed at harming our country,” the Cabinet Secretary press statement said.
⠀
Letimpiotis assured that Cyprus remains “part of the solution, not part of the problem, and this is recognized by the international community.” He later wrote on social media X about “hybrid disinformation activities.”
⠀
“Hybrid activities of disinformation and the spread of fake news cannot be allowed to have a misleading effect. Cyprus is not involved in military operations or any conflicts. Humanitarian assistance and facilitating evacuations is what we do. Those who oppose such actions, opposes international humanitarian law,” he said.
⠀
Under the post of government press secretary, AKEL Central Committee member Haris Karamanos provided data on the arrival of foreign military personnel in Cyprus. According to him, recently a large amount of military equipment arrives at the port of Limassol and is transferred to the Akrotiri bases. The presence of American soldiers has increased; they lack beds and are being housed in tents inside bases. As of August 4, 150 US Marines remained at the training center in Paphos, where they were conducting drone exercises. On August 5, at Larnaca airport, two American transports unloaded missile launchers, loaded them back an hour later and left.
⠀
On August 8, early in the morning, “full American cargo planes” arrived at the airport at the Akrotiri base. On the same day, the American aircraft carrier refueled in the port of Larnaca, according to Karamanos’ messages.
⠀
The politician also published the front page of the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar with the headline: “Cyprus enters the war on the side of the enemy. America mobilizes military and technological means and turns the island into a springboard of deterrence, and the airports of Larnaca and Paphos into the service of the Israeli authorities.”
⠀
The day before, the US Navy website reported that on August 8, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, carrying the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit capable of conducting special operations (SOC), arrived at the port of Limassol in Cyprus. The US Navy notes that Cyprus is a “frequent destination for US Navy ships operating in the Mediterranean.” In addition, according to Western media reports, a large base of the Israeli intelligence service MOSSAD has been created in Cyprus.
⠀
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrullah made his first threats against Cyprus in a televised address on June 19, stressing that Hezbollah could consider it involved in a war if it continues to allow Israel to use its airports and bases for military purposes. The president of the island state, Nikos Christodoulides, in connection with the threats to carry out strikes, said that Cyprus is in no way involved in military conflicts and is not part of the problem of the Middle East, but part of its solution.
