LARNACA / CYPRUS: In recent days, Cyprus has unwittingly found itself at the centre of a growing geopolitical tension between the West and actors such as Hezbollah, Iran and the Houthi rebels. Reports, including from Lebanese and Israeli media, suggest that a high-level American military delegation visited the Mediterranean island and was informed of plans for its strategic location to be used as a defence base in the event of a military conflict.
This comes against a backdrop of growing tensions in the region, particularly following threats from Hezbollah against Cyprus if Israeli attacks were to be carried out from Cypriot territory.
Hezbollah terror leader Hassan Nasrallah has made it clear that Cyprus would be considered a hostile actor if it allowed Israeli forces to conduct operations against Lebanon from the island. This statement significantly increased concerns on the island, especially since Cyprus has long sought to maintain a neutral position in the Middle East conflict.
The Cypriot government responded promptly to the threats, seeking to emphasise its role as an unwilling actor in this geopolitical game. Official statements said that Cyprus had no interest in becoming involved in military conflict and that its possible involvement would be forced by external powers. This stance is also reinforced by diplomatic efforts made by Cypriot officials in recent days to convey their message of non-interference to relevant actors in the region.
In parallel, the UK has increased its military presence on the island, particularly in anticipation of a possible evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon. Hundreds of British soldiers have reportedly been stationed at Akrotiri Air Base to be ready for possible evacuation missions. Germany is also said to have been in contact with the Cypriot authorities to explore the possibility of sending naval forces, although this is less well documented and is considered speculative in some sources.
These developments highlight the complex situation in which Cyprus currently finds itself: An island that seems geographically far away, but suddenly finds itself at the centre of tensions between powerful actors. Despite efforts to remain neutral, Cyprus could inevitably be drawn into the dynamics of a potential conflict - a situation that the country is trying to avoid at all costs, as Cypriot officials repeatedly stress. The coming weeks will show whether Cypriot diplomacy succeeds in maintaining its neutral position or whether the country will be drawn into a larger conflict against its will.
The Cypriot government has stressed several times that the country is not involved in any military conflict and does not want to be involved. President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos dismissed Nasrallah's threats as unfounded and stressed that Cyprus was rather a "pillar of peace and stability" in the region. Kombos also underlined the good diplomatic relations with Lebanon and assured that Cyprus had taken all necessary diplomatic measures to de-escalate the situation.
sources: KANN News, Times of Israel, Cyprus Mail
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