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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Unal Ustel said scenarios suggesting that Israel could attack Turkish military targets in the TRNC and that Greece could support such an attack have reached a dangerous point.
Ustel, who also chairs the National Unity Party, or UBP, said the Cyprus issue was going through a critical and dangerous period and called on Turkish Cypriots to protect the TRNC and Türkiye in unity and solidarity.
“We must not hand over our state, our security and our future to those who define union with the Greeks as their reason for existence,” Ustel said.
His remarks came as he assessed military developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and possible attack scenarios involving Israel and Greece against the TRNC.
Ustel said a retired commander in Greece claimed on a television program that Israel could attack Turkish military targets in the TRNC.
He said the commander argued that such an attack would not be considered an attack on a NATO member because Cyprus is outside the alliance.
Ustel said Greek Cypriot and Greek media had also published analyses suggesting that the Greek army could support possible Israeli attacks on the TRNC.
“These statements are not proof of an official attack decision. However, they show how dangerous the mentality that opens to discussion attacks on Turkish soldiers and the removal of Türkiye from Cyprus has become,” he said.
Ustel also criticized military relations developed by the United States, France and Israel with the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and Greece, saying the effects of those partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean must be questioned.
He argued that military and political support provided to the Greek Cypriot-Greek side encourages uncompromising policies.
Ustel said the TRNC would not remain silent in the face of scenarios targeting Türkiye’s presence on the island.
He also criticized remarks by a Greek Cypriot member of the European Parliament who said, “The Blue Homeland is ours,” saying the approach targets Türkiye’s maritime rights and interests.
Ustel said the sovereignty of the TRNC and Türkiye’s presence on the island cannot be opened to debate, adding that domestic political competition should not take precedence over the security and future of the state.
“In this context, we must not hand over our state, our security and our future to those who define union with the Greeks as their reason for existence,” he said.
Ustel said the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for freedom, security and sovereignty continues.
He added that caution was needed against approaches that view the existence of the state as temporary and aim to end Türkiye’s presence on the island.
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Pointing to the importance of relations with Türkiye for the security of the TRNC, Ustel said political debates and election promises should not endanger gains achieved over many years.
He said UBP’s main goal is to ensure that Turkish Cypriots live under the roof of a free, sovereign, democratic and developed state.
Ustel added that bonds of brotherhood with Türkiye must be further strengthened.
“Making the right decision in this period will determine not only today but also the conditions under which our children and grandchildren will live. We must not endanger so much struggle, sacrifice and achievement for the sake of uncertain, populist election promises,” he said.
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