Türkiye Condemns Airspace Violations Over TRNC Renewed Tension

In a significant diplomatic move, Türkiye has raised concerns about repeated airspace violations over the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), attributing these incursions to the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece.

In a formal letter submitted to the United Nations on February 21, 2025, Türkiye's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, demanded that these violations be documented in both the UN General Assembly and Security Council records.

The protest follows statements from Mehmet Dana, the TRNC’s UN representative, who highlighted that numerous unauthorized flights by Greek Cypriot and Greek military aircraft had taken place throughout 2024. These acts, Türkiye asserts, not only violate TRNC sovereignty but also present significant risks to regional stability and flight safety.

The Context of Airspace Disputes in Cyprus

The airspace over Cyprus has long been a contested issue, reflective of the broader geopolitical disputes on the island. Since the unilateral Greek Cypriot claim to be the sole government of Cyprus, airspace regulations have remained a source of dispute. The TRNC, which exercises de facto control over the northern part of the island, asserts full authority over its airspace.

Despite this, the Greek Cypriot Administration continues to claim jurisdiction over the entirety of the island’s airspace, including the TRNC. This has led to frequent instances where Greek Cypriot and Greek aircraft conduct flights over TRNC territory without authorization, disregarding communications from Ercan Air Traffic Control.

Violations and Safety Risks

According to TRNC officials, unauthorized flights pose a severe threat to both military and civilian aviation. Ercan Air Traffic Control Center, responsible for airspace management in the TRNC, has reported that these incursions create unnecessary risks, particularly as unauthorized flights often fail to coordinate with air traffic control measures.

Furthermore, Türkiye’s defense officials have warned that such provocations increase the chances of aerial confrontations, raising tensions between the two sides. The continued disregard for TRNC’s airspace sovereignty, they argue, contributes to an already volatile security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Greek Cypriot Counterclaims and Türkiye’s Response

On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot Administration has frequently accused Türkiye of violating its self-declared airspace, claiming over 2,120 airspace breaches and 137 naval incursions in a 16-month period between March 2023 and June 2024. However, Türkiye rejects these allegations, pointing out that the Greek Cypriot Administration’s refusal to acknowledge TRNC sovereignty distorts the narrative.

For Türkiye and the TRNC, the Greek Cypriot stance represents a double standard—while they claim airspace violations by Türkiye, they themselves continue unauthorized flights over the TRNC. This, Ankara argues, underscores the necessity of international recognition for the TRNC to prevent such legal ambiguities.

The Need for a Resolution

As tensions persist, Türkiye has called for an immediate end to unauthorized flights and for greater adherence to established air traffic protocols. Officials in Ankara and Lefkoşa (Nicosia) have also urged international aviation organizations to acknowledge the operational authority of Ercan Air Traffic Control to ensure flight safety.

The ongoing dispute highlights the broader issue of diplomatic isolation faced by the TRNC, which, despite its functional institutions, remains largely unrecognized due to international political pressures.

TCE Conclusion

The reported airspace violations over the TRNC are yet another reminder of the ongoing struggle for Turkish Cypriots to assert their sovereignty. Türkiye’s protest at the UN reflects both its commitment to protecting TRNC airspace and its broader strategy of countering Greek Cypriot diplomatic maneuvering.

Without a mutual recognition of territorial and airspace rights, tensions will likely persist, risking further escalations in the Eastern Mediterranean. A fair and legal resolution to this issue requires an unbiased international approach—one that acknowledges the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and their legitimate governance over their own land and skies.

References

- "Turkey claims airspace ‘violated’ over occupied areas," Cyprus Mail, February 21, 2025.
- "Cyprus reports Turkey to UN for over 2,000 violations," Cyprus Mail, September 14, 2024.
- "Regarding the claims of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus concerning the illegal flights of the French warplanes," TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, December 30, 2024.