The United Nations Department of Peace Operations has raised concerns about repeated interventions by Turkish Cypriot authorities inside the buffer zone, according to a briefing to members of the UN Security Council. The update highlights what it describes as a gradual change in the situation within the neutral zone in the Pyla area.
According to the briefing, since early February 2026 a “pattern of increasing restrictions” has emerged by the Turkish Cypriot “police” in the disputed area of Cayhan on the Pyla plateau.
Increasing presence in disputed area
According to information cited in the briefing, Turkish Cypriot authorities have accompanied these actions with stronger rhetoric, arguing that the specific area “does not fall within the United Nations buffer zone”.
The Turkish Cypriot “police” are reported to have gradually increased their presence in the area, placing static vehicles at key access points within the zone monitored by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
Since early April, the frequency of what are described as “law enforcement” interventions has also increased. UNFICYP assesses that these measures aim to “control the area, regulate access and ultimately consolidate their presence”.
UN efforts to restore status quo
According to the information provided, the UN peacekeeping mission said that its contacts with the “authorities” in the occupied areas to restore the status quo ante and avoid unilateral actions that “challenge the integrity of the buffer zone and undermine the UN’s authorised mandate” have so far produced “limited results”.
Consultations are continuing, with parallel support from the organisation’s headquarters in New York.
At the same time, the mission has taken immediate operational measures by reinforcing its presence on the plateau, increasing patrols and establishing fixed positions at points where Turkish Cypriot patrols are present, while closely monitoring developments.