Turkish Writer: Israel is Turning Cyprus into a Base Against Turkey

SadaNews - In a report published in the Turkish newspaper "Yeni Şafak", writer Bulent Oraakoglu addressed the strategic aspects associated with the Greek Cypriot receipt of the second batch of the Israeli air defense system "Barak MX", pointing out the security and military implications of this step in the context of regional balances.

The writer quoted experts as saying that the military cooperation between Nicosia and Tel Aviv poses a significant threat to the Turkish air and ground forces in the eastern Mediterranean.

According to Cypriot media reports, the system was delivered via Limassol port and transported by land under strict security measures. Videos posted on social media show military vehicles leaving the port.

Cypriot Defense Minister Vasílis Palmás confirmed in December 2024 that the changing balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean necessitates his country to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

Last January, the Cypriot channel "Alpha TV" revealed that the first batch of the Israeli "Barak MX" defense system had arrived on the island.

The writer noted that these modern systems will replace the older systems "Tom-EM1' and "Buk M1-2", reflecting Nicosia's efforts to modernize its military structure.

He added that these new systems would be deployed at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos and the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari.

The writer believes that Israel seeks to turn Cyprus into a strategic base and a center for cybersecurity.

In August, Israel carried out strategic steps within agreements with the United States and Greece, which included organizing joint naval patrols under the pretext of protecting what the Greek Cypriot administration calls the "exclusive economic zone", and also deployed the first batteries of the "Barak MX" system on the island.

The writer pointed out that the Israeli army's Unit "8200" has established a cybersecurity center tasked with spying on Turkish military communication networks in northern Cyprus, believed to operate near Larnaca in coordination with the cybersecurity command in Athens and the U.S. Sixth Fleet, expected to reach its full capacity by the end of 2025.