Turkey says it deployed six F-16 fighter jets, air defence systems to northern Cyprus

Turkey on Monday deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to Northern Cyprus to enhance the security of the Turkish community in the region in the midst of the war in Iran, the defence ministry said, noting that the government would consider other measures if necessary.

The European powers are trying to increase military deployments on the ethnically divided island in the past few days after an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle, believed to have been fired by Hezbollah, an Iranian ally in Lebanon, attacked the British Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus last week.

"In the context of the latest developments in our region, six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems have been deployed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as of today," the ministry said in a statement, noting that the move was part of the phased planning for the enhancement of the breakaway state's security.

"As a result of the evaluations to be made depending on the developments, additional measures will continue to be taken if necessary," it added.

Turkey doesn’t recognize the internationally recognized and European Union member state Greek Cypriot government in the South of the island and is the only country that recognizes the Turkish Cypriot state in the North.

Last week, NATO defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran into Turkish airspace, marking a significant escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran that has now engulfed the wider region. NATO member state Ankara warned Iran on Saturday against firing more missiles into Turkish airspace.

Turkey has expressed disapproval at the European Union forces deployed to Cyprus as an attempt to drag the island into the conflict.

The move is happening at a time when tensions are rising in the Middle East and the Gulf region. The U.S. and Israel are attacking Iran with missile strikes as the latter retaliates with its own missile strikes targeting U.S. military bases in the region.