Cyprus has formally informed the United Nations about the latest violations by Türkiye of Cyprus’ airspace, territorial waters and air traffic regulations, recorded between March and May 2026.
In a letter dated 22 June 2026 and addressed to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michail, said she wished to bring to his attention “the latest violations of Cyprus’ national airspace, of international air traffic regulations in Cyprus’ Flight Information Region (FIR), of the territorial waters of Cyprus and the illegal use of closed ports and airports in Cyprus, by the air and naval forces of Türkiye”.
'Ongoing violations'
According to the letter, “a total of 520 air and 23 naval violations were recorded during this period.” Cyprus further noted that “103 out of the 520 air violations were conducted by Turkish military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while 196 by Turkish armed military fighter aircraft”.
It is mentioned that, beyond these recorded incidents, “the Turkish occupation forces continue to breach the military status quo on the island on an almost daily basis” and “further strengthen their military infrastructure in the occupied areas”.
Cyprus said these actions “once again manifest Türkiye’s ongoing violation of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus,” adding that they are “in contravention of the Charter of the United Nations and international law”.
'Persistent aggressions'
The Permanent Representative of Cyprus also underlined that such actions “highlight the persistent aggressive behaviour of the occupying power” and “severely undermine the sense of security of all Cypriots”.
She added that they “impede the efforts aimed at creating conditions conducive to the resumption of the negotiations for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem”.
The annexes to the letter provide a detailed monthly account of the recorded incidents. In March 2026, Cyprus reported airborne violations involving Turkish military UAVs, helicopters, fighter aircraft and other military aircraft. The annex refers, among others, to Eight BAYRAKTAR TB-2 Turkish military unmanned aerial vehicles, Four ANKA Turkish military UAVs, Two AKSUNGUR Turkish military UAVs, Seven AS-532 Turkish military helicopters, and Thirty-six F-16 Turkish military fighter aircraft. Each of these, according to the annex, “infringed international air traffic regulations and violated the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus” by entering “the Nicosia FIR and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus without diplomatic permit or contacting Nicosia ACC”.
Timeline
For April 2026, the letter recorded further airborne violations, including Twenty-two BAYRAKTAR TB-2 Turkish military UAVs, Thirteen ANKA Turkish military UAVs, Fifteen AS-532 Turkish military helicopters, and Ninety-four F-16 Turkish military fighter aircraft. The annex again states that they entered the Nicosia FIR and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus “without diplomatic permit or contacting Nicosia ACC”.
In May 2026, the annex lists additional incidents involving Twenty-three BAYRAKTAR TB-2 Turkish military UAVs, Twenty-one ANKA Turkish military UAVs, Five AKINCI Turkish military UAVs, Five AKSUNGUR Turkish military UAVs, and Sixty-six F-16 Turkish military fighter aircraft, all described as having “infringed international air traffic regulations and violated the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus”.
The naval annexes also recorded violations between March and May 2026. In March, Cyprus reported that Turkish vessels including “TUFAN,” “KARATAS,” “OSMAN GAZI,” “ATAK,” “BAYRAKTAR” and “ZIPKIN” “violated the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus” and “illegally used the closed port of Famagusta while participating in a naval operation of the occupation forces”.
In April, the reported naval violations involved, among others, the vessels “ZIPKIN,” “KILIÇ,” “KARATAS,” “KDZ EREGLI” and the submarine “GUR.” The annex states that these vessels “violated the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus,” with some “illegally” using “the closed port of Famagusta” and others “the closed port of Kyrenia”.
For May, Cyprus reported violations involving “KILIÇ,” “KARATAS,” “KDZ EREGLI” and the submarine “INONU.” According to the annex, these vessels “violated the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus” and “illegally used the closed port of Famagusta” or “the closed port of Kyrenia” while participating “in a naval operation of the occupation forces”.
Cyprus reiterated in the letter that it “remains fully committed” to supporting the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy “aimed at resuming negotiations and achieving an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement”.
The letter specifies that such a settlement should be “based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality,” and “in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council”.
Source: CNA
