The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is currently investigating its Force Commander following a complaint made by at least one subordinate.
Contrary to reports, Lieutenant General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam from Bangladesh is currently in Cyprus and remains in charge of the UN force, comprising around 821 uniformed personnel (769 military, 62 police).
Speculation was rife yesterday that Lieutenant General Minhazul Alam had been withdrawn from Cyprus just five months into his post.
A report published by an Indian digital news site, Northeast News, alleged that written complaints had been submitted by the Force Commander’s aide-de-camp and another officer regarding his conduct, resulting in his alleged withdrawal from the UN mission and return to Bangladesh.
UNFICYP Spokesperson Aleem Siddique promptly issued a statement yesterday clarifying that the high-ranking Bangladeshi military officer “remains the UNFICYP Force Commander and continues to carry out his duties and responsibilities with the Mission".
Alleged complaints
The intervention came after Northeast News claimed on Wednesday that the Force Commander had returned to Bangladesh on 4 September and would not be returning to the island following complaints made against him.
According to the report, the complaints concern allegations of “unmilitary conduct and behaviour”. The Indian outlet reported that the complaints “raised concerns about what was described as rough and inappropriate behaviour” towards his military aide.
Investigation underway
Politis has learned that a complaint against Minhazul Alam was made by a junior officer regarding her treatment by the Force Commander, triggering an internal investigation against the high-ranking officer.
The Lieutenant General was recently in Bangladesh, likely to brief the country’s top brass on the investigation underway but has since returned to the island and remains in charge of the peacekeeping force.
Once the investigation is complete, the matter will be handled by UN headquarters in New York in terms of what action to take, if any.
While the details of the allegations remain unknown, it is understood that the complaint concerns potential disciplinary issues. More damning allegations might have led the Force Commander to be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Five months in the job
Then Major General Minhazul Alam was appointed as UNFICP Force Commander by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 8 April 2026, replacing Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri of Mongolia.
According to a UN statement at the time, Minhazul Alam has over 30 years of leadership and command experience in the Bangladesh Army, having held senior positions in the Army Training and Doctrine Command and the 10th Infantry Division.
He also has prior experience in UN peacekeeping missions, serving as Sector Commander in UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2020-2021) and Military Observer in United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) (1999-2000).
