ANKARA: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar has voiced strong disapproval of the UK’s alleged involvement in supporting Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza.
Tatar expressed his concerns, stating that such actions would not be endorsed by the Turkish people and characterized the UK’s reported role as contributing to a “massacre.”
The accusations suggest that the UK utilized its military bases located in the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus to facilitate Israel’s military operations. According to reports, numerous cargo planes and helicopters, including those from the US and the UK, transported weapons, equipment, and personnel to the Akrotiri base on the island of Cyprus. The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed an increase in the number of troops in the region, with the Royal Air Force providing surveillance support to Israel.
President Tatar strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza and expressed the discomfort of the Turkish Cypriot people at the highest level. He denounced the violence and brutality of the attacks, emphasizing the potential for significant civilian casualties, including innocent civilians, children, and the elderly, due to the use of disproportionate force.
Highlighting Turkey’s unique role as the sole country fulfilling its responsibilities among the guarantors with the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, Tatar underscored the historical context by mentioning the UK’s past indifference during the 1963 events in the region. Criticizing the UK’s interference in another country’s affairs through the use of military bases, Tatar stressed the need for a balanced and cautious approach in the complex geopolitical dynamics of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The UK’s alleged military support and increased presence in the region have raised serious concerns, prompting President Tatar to call for prudence and careful consideration in navigating the sensitive diplomatic landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean.
