The United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus has stepped up patrols and reinforced its presence along the Green Line following a series of incidents in the Pyla and Pergamos areas, after Turkish Cypriot security personnel entered the UN-controlled buffer zone without authorisation.
UNFICYP said on Monday it had increased patrols in Pyla, a village located within the buffer zone in the southeast of the country, after the unauthorised entry of Turkish Cypriot security personnel. In a statement posted to its social media account, the mission said it was actively engaging with all relevant parties to restore the status quo ante and prevent actions that could adversely affect calm and stability in the area, adding that maintaining calm and stability across the buffer zone remains its highest priority.
Pyla/Pile Update: The situation remains calm today.#UNFICYP is patrolling the area and continuing to monitor the situation closely.
— UN Cyprus (@UN_CYPRUS) April 15, 2026
The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UNFICYP, Khassim Diagne urges calm and restraint in #Pyla #Pile, respecting UNFICYP… pic.twitter.com/s57Rba8Mmi
On Wednesday, UNFICYP spokesperson Alim Siddique told CNA that the situation remains calm, with UNFICYP patrolling the area and continuing to monitor the situation closely. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP, Khassim Diagne, urged calm and restraint in Pyla, in keeping with the mission's mandate.
UN vehicles remain stationed along the Green Line, with vehicles linked to the Turkish Cypriot police also reported to be present. A UN vehicle is positioned near a location where enclosures belonging to Turkish Cypriots are situated, and on Wednesday morning a vehicle associated with the Turkish Cypriot police was observed parked in close proximity.
The north's administration pushed back sharply against UNFICYP's characterisation of events. Its 'foreign ministry' described UNFICYP's position as "unacceptable", insisting the area in question "is not in the buffer zone but lies entirely within the territory and under the sovereignty of the TRNC". In response, UNFICYP spokesperson Siddique Aleem said the mission "stands by what has been said", reiterating that any unauthorised presence or activity within the buffer zone constitutes a violation of its mandate.
The incidents have a parallel dimension in Pergamos, some four kilometres to the north, where a foot and mouth disease outbreak has complicated access to Turkish Cypriot livestock facilities inside the buffer zone. The Veterinary Services said that although farmers of livestock units in Pergamos have consented and are awaiting private veterinarians to vaccinate their animals, "the occupation army is obstructing the process", adding that the issue is being handled by the foreign ministry in cooperation with the United Nations. CyBC reported that Turkish Cypriot police have been conducting patrols in the area up to ten times a day and with larger numbers of personnel.
Presidential press office director Victoras Papadopoulos said the government condemns what it described as "serious violations by the occupation regime in the buffer zone", expressing "deep concern and disappointment" over what he called "an escalating stance by occupation forces at a critical geopolitical juncture". He said the actions violate UN Security Council resolutions, increase tensions, and undermine the UN Secretary-General's efforts to restart negotiations and build confidence between the two sides. He added that the matter would be raised at the next meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.
The ongoing tensions are also affecting veterinary work, with farmers managing nine cattle and sheep units having advised veterinary services not to proceed with a second round of foot and mouth vaccinations. The UN warned it could not guarantee the safety of those involved.