The Turkish Cypriot administration's "prime minister" Unal Ustel fired back at Nicosia on Friday, calling Cyprus' milita...

The Turkish Cypriot administration's "prime minister" Unal Ustel fired back at Nicosia on Friday, calling Cyprus' military buildup a "great contradiction" after the Republic displayed its upgraded defense capabilities during Thursday's Independence Day parade in the capital. The parade featured Greek F-16 Viper jets and military personnel from Greece, Egypt, France, Britain and the United States. The National Guard also publicly unveiled its Israeli-made Barak MX air defense system for the first time, drawing immediate condemnation from Ustel, who said the display was clear evidence Cyprus was "militarily strengthening its air and naval infrastructure and investing in new weapons systems." Ustel argued that talking about reunification while "accelerating armament, bringing foreign military contingents to the island and using threatening language targeting the Turkish Cypriot people" was incompatible with peace. He warned that the military displays "will certainly not be ignored by the Turkish Cypriot people." Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides had called upgrading the Republic's deterrent capabilities a "top priority" ahead of the parade, citing the continuing Turkish occupation and Cyprus' strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean. He said Thursday that "the Republic of Cyprus is not turning against anyone" but was exercising its right to defense. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who was present for the parade, said Cyprus had lived under invasion and occupation for more than 50 years and that "freedom, sovereignty, security, and democracy require defense strength." He pledged that Greece would always stand by the Republic. Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas reinforced the message, saying Cyprus remains exposed to threats and that safeguarding peace requires "constant vigilance, operational readiness and the ability to respond to current challenges." Ustel also reiterated the Turkish Cypriot leadership's longstanding position that "there are two states in Cyprus," insisting no settlement was possible without recognition of Turkish Cypriot "sovereign equality and equal international status." #Cyprus #CyprusConflict #EasternMediterr...