On December 20, 2024, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reported a grave violation of its airspace by French military aircraft.

 According to the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French warplanes, stationed at Baf (Paphos) under the 2017 Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Greek Cypriot Administration, conducted low-altitude flights over the Lefke region.

 

These actions endangered civilian lives, eliciting widespread condemnation and escalating tensions in an already volatile Eastern Mediterranean.

This provocative act is emblematic of a worrying trend of militarization on the island, reflecting the strategic exclusion of Turkish Cypriots from critical security discussions. The TRNC Ministry’s official statement asserted, “We strongly condemn this violation by France, which has caused great concern among our people.”

 

France and the Greek Cypriot Administration: A Strategic Partnership with Regional Consequences

The Defense Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2017, allows French military forces to operate from Baf. While framed as a security measure against undefined "threats," this partnership has emboldened the Greek Cypriot Administration to pursue unilateral policies that undermine peace efforts.

 

The TRNC Ministry emphasized: “The Greek Cypriot side has been making bilateral military agreements for a long time under the false pretense of being under ‘security threats,’ thereby increasing the tension in the region.” By fostering this partnership, France has inadvertently endorsed the Greek Cypriot Administration's narrative of sole representation for Cyprus, marginalizing Turkish Cypriots and destabilizing regional peace.

 

Historical Context: An Island Divided

Cyprus has long been mired in intercommunal strife. The collapse of the bicommunal Republic of Cyprus in 1963 marked the beginning of systematic discrimination and violence against Turkish Cypriots. In 1974, a coup by Greek Cypriot nationalists seeking enosis (union with Greece) prompted Türkiye’s intervention under its legal rights as a guarantor power, outlined in the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

 

The intervention secured the safety of Turkish Cypriots, who had endured years of violence and isolation. However, the international community’s recognition of the Greek Cypriot Administration as the sole government has perpetuated the exclusion and embargoes faced by the TRNC.

 

This historical context is critical to understanding the current tensions. The militarization of the Greek Cypriot Administration, supported by foreign allies like France, is a continuation of policies aimed at sidelining Turkish Cypriots and reinforcing unilateral control over the island.

 

Militarization and the Risks of Escalation

The unauthorized flights by French warplanes over Lefke are not an isolated incident. They reflect a broader trend of militarization driven by the Greek Cypriot Administration's defense agreements with countries including France, Israel, and the United States. These agreements have facilitated the acquisition of advanced military equipment and the establishment of foreign bases on the island.

 

The TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consistently called for the demilitarization of Cyprus. In its December 23 statement, it warned: “We emphasize that we will never allow this support and military cooperation provided to the Greek Cypriot Administration under the guise of strategic partnership to threaten the peace and security of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

 

Such militarization not only heightens tensions but also risks turning Cyprus into a flashpoint for broader conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

The Human Impact: Voices from Lefke

For residents of Lefke, the low-altitude flights by French warplanes were a stark reminder of their vulnerability. One local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the experience: “We woke up to the sound of planes roaring above our homes. It felt like a message—one meant to intimidate us.”

 

These provocations are not abstract policy issues; they have real consequences for the people who live under the shadow of militarization. The TRNC’s insistence on demilitarization is not just a political stance but a reflection of the lived realities of its people.

 

International Reactions: A Double Standard?

The international community’s muted response to the airspace violations exposes a glaring double standard. While the Greek Cypriot Administration is often portrayed as a victim in the Cyprus dispute, its actions—supported by powerful allies—tell a different story. The exclusion of Turkish Cypriots from international platforms, coupled with the continued recognition of the Greek Cypriot Administration as the sole representative of the island, perpetuates systemic injustices.

 

Türkiye, as a guarantor power, has condemned the recent violations. Ankara’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “We call on all parties, especially France, to respect international norms and avoid actions that threaten regional stability.”

 

Türkiye’s Role in Ensuring Stability

Türkiye’s presence in the TRNC is often misunderstood. Far from being an occupying force, the Turkish military serves as a guarantor of security for Turkish Cypriots in the face of ongoing threats. The airspace violations by French aircraft underscore the importance of Türkiye’s role in maintaining stability on the island.

 

Ankara has repeatedly called for equitable dialogue and mutual recognition as the foundation for resolving the Cyprus issue. However, such calls have been undermined by unilateral actions from the Greek Cypriot Administration and its allies.

 

A Call for Common Sense and Dialogue

The TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged all parties to act with restraint and common sense. Its December 23 statement concluded: “Once again, we call on all relevant parties, especially France, which encourages the Greek Cypriot side in the military field, to immediately refrain from actions that endanger regional security and to act with common sense.”

 

This appeal highlights the TRNC’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and its insistence on equitable recognition. The continued militarization of the Greek Cypriot Administration, supported by foreign powers, threatens to derail any progress toward a lasting resolution.

 

TCE Conclusion: The Path Forward

The violation of TRNC airspace by French warplanes is a stark reminder of the precarious security situation in Cyprus. It underscores the need for the international community to reassess its approach to the island, moving away from exclusionary policies and toward strategies that promote mutual respect and coexistence.

 

The TRNC’s call for demilitarization and dialogue is not just a demand for fairness but a roadmap for regional stability. As tensions escalate, the recognition of the TRNC as a sovereign state becomes not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity for ensuring peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

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References

 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Official Statement, December 23, 2024.  
 Treaty of Guarantee, 1960.  
 Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Greek Cypriot Administration and France, 2017.  
 Eyewitness testimony from Lefke residents, December 21, 2024.  
 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Statement on Regional Stability, December 22, 2024.  
 Analysis of Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics by international relations experts, December 2024