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Türkiye says Greek Cypriot NOTAM 'null and void,' warns against exploiting crisis

A view of a TRNC flag on the Besparmak Mountains ahead of the first round of the presidential election in Lefkosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Oct. 17, 2025. (AA Photo)
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A view of a TRNC flag on the Besparmak Mountains ahead of the first round of the presidential election in Lefkosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Oct. 17, 2025. (AA Photo)
March 18, 2026 01:47 PM GMT+03:00

Türkiye's Defense Ministry declared a Greek Cypriot aviation notice covering parts of Turkish Cyprus airspace "null and void" and accused Greek Cyprus of exploiting the regional crisis to undermine Turkish Cyprus' rights and turn the island into a military target.

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Greek Cypriot side creating 'jurisdictional confusion'

Speaking at the weekly press briefing at the 10th Main Jet Base Command at Incirlik, the defense ministry said the Greek Cypriot side "from time to time raises such issues that cause jurisdictional confusion in order to disregard the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."

"The NOTAM published by the Greek Cypriot Administration is null and void," the ministry said, confirming that Turkish Cyprus had issued a counter-NOTAM invalidating the Greek Cypriot notice.

The ministry accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of turning the island into a target in recent years "by allowing arms buildup on the island and permitting other countries to use it."

"As a guarantor state, our country continues to take additional measures to ensure the security of not only the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) but the entire island," the ministry said.

"Our determination to ensure the rights, interests and security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is complete. We did not hesitate and will not hesitate to exercise the rights granted to us by guarantorship," the ministry added.

F-16 fighter jets that were deployed within the framework of phased plans by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense to enhance the security of Lefkosia, Turkish Cyprus, March 9, 2026. (AA Photo)
F-16 fighter jets that were deployed within the framework of phased plans by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense to enhance the security of Lefkosia, Turkish Cyprus, March 9, 2026. (AA Photo)

The statement carried a pointed warning over the deployment of foreign military assets by non-guarantor states.

"In an environment where some non-guarantor countries are sending military elements to the island of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, the measures taken by Türkiye are the requirement of an entirely legitimate, appropriate and balanced security approach," the ministry stated.

"The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we are sufficient for it," the statement concluded.

One of the two frigates sent from Greece arrives at a port in Limassol, Greek Cyprus, on March 04, 2026. (AA Photo)
One of the two frigates sent from Greece arrives at a port in Limassol, Greek Cyprus, on March 04, 2026. (AA Photo)

Turkish Cyprus issues counter-NOTAM, declares sole authority over its airspace

The TRNC's Ercan Airport Civil Aviation Directorate published NOTAM NO100/26, declaring the Greek Cypriot Administration's NOTAM A0345/26 "null and void" on the grounds that the issuing authority lacked jurisdiction.

The counter-NOTAM stated that authority to provide air traffic and aviation information services within "Ercan Advisory Airspace" rested solely with Turkish Cyprus.

TRNC Public Works and Transport Minister Erhan Arikli said Turkish Cyprus held full authority over its own Flight Information Region and urged the Greek Cypriot side to "refrain from such unrealistic actions."

The TRNC Public Works and Transport Ministry urged all aircraft operating in the area to coordinate with TRNC air traffic units and closely follow published aviation information.

A fighter jet takes off from RAF Akrotiri base following two reported drone attacks near Limassol, Greek Cyprus, on March 2, 2026. (AFP Photo)
A fighter jet takes off from RAF Akrotiri base following two reported drone attacks near Limassol, Greek Cyprus, on March 2, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Greek Cypriot NOTAM had covered Turkish Cyprus' airspace

The Greek Cypriot Administration initially published NOTAM A0332/26 from its Larnaca-based Kyrenia Interactive Map System, covering airspace between Turkish Cyprus and Türkiye, including areas off the coasts of Mersin, Adana and Hatay, citing "U.S. Military Operations" and calling on aircraft to communicate with Greek Cypriot air traffic control.

The notice was later replaced with NOTAM A0345/26, changed to reference "Possible Military Operations." Both versions marked areas encompassing the TRNC airspace.

France announced plans to send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Greek Cyprus earlier in the conflict, and Britain has considered deploying the warship HMS Duncan to defend RAF Akrotiri from Iranian threats.

Türkiye has deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to Turkish Cyprus and stationed Patriot batteries in Malatya and Adana in response to Iranian missile threats since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began.

March 18, 2026 01:48 PM GMT+03:00
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