As villages in breakaway northern Cyprus were evacuated on Thursday after a huge fire broke out in Kantara area the day before Israel announced it was sending two fire-fighting planes to assist efforts.
The planes were expected to land at Larnaca Airport in the free areas of the Republic and in coordination with UNFICYP start assisting efforts to put out the fierce fire.
Diplomatic sources also told the Cyprus News Agency that Israeli authorities are describing the decision as purely humanitarian and implemented in agreement with the government of Cyprus.
Meanwhile, the residents of Turkish-occupied Flamoudi and Ardana were temporarily housed in hotels located in the village of Davlos.
They do not yet know when they will be able to return to their homes, CNA reported.
The village of Trikomo is also on high alert, with its residents reportedly ready to evacuate their homes as well should the winds change direction and bring the blaze dangerously close to the them.
