Cyprus is not participating in the military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Friday.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Theodoros Gotsis was asked to comment on the news that British aircraft stationed at Akrotiri, were involved in air strikes on military positions linked to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Gotsis said that “the Republic of Cyprus is actively monitoring the security situation in the region, which has deteriorated and stresses the need for an immediate end to actions that threaten free and safe navigation and endanger the wider security of the region”.
He added, “As regards the use of the UK bases in Cyprus, the Government is in constant communication with the UK always within the framework set by the Treaty of Establishment and its accompanying documents.”
The security of Cyprus, as well as our relations with states in the region, he noted, “is the government’s top priority in the relevant contacts.”
On the situation in the Red Sea, Gotsis said that the “Republic of Cyprus is systematically monitoring the disturbing developments in the Red Sea in close coordination with the EU and in constant contact with our other regional and international partners.”
“We observe”, he said, “that the security situation in our region has deteriorated which is of particular concern to us” and explained that “as a state in the region with a significant maritime footprint, we clearly stress the need for an immediate end to all actions that threaten free and safe navigation and endanger the wider security of the region”.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesman stressed the “need to implement international law and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on the region, as well as the importance of demonstrating maximum restraint to avoid further escalation in the Red Sea and the wider region”.
The British Ministry of Defence reported that Typhoon jets targeted structures in the Banee region of northwest Yemen, where Houthis operated drones for reconnaissance and attacks. Additionally, military installations, including an airport in the city of Hodeidah, were hit, thwarting launches of cruise missiles and drones towards the Red Sea.
On Sunday, January 14, people in Cyprus will march towards RAF Akrotiri to protest the use of the island as a launching pad for military operations.
The protest march will take place on Sunday, January 14 at 11 a.m. and it is organised by the Cyprus Peace Council.
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