Turkey turns occupied north into military hub as regional tensions rise

Politics Cyprus problemmilitaryTop Newsturkey Turkey turns occupied north into military hub as regional tensions rise Turkey F16 1200x700 1 Relevant News Turkey turns occupied north into military hub as regional tensions rise 6 September 2026 Cyprus temperatures to reach 38°C as seasonal low pressure hits 6 September 2026 Ronald Meinardus: Saxony-Anhalt election tests Germany’s resistance to the far right 6 September 2026 Costas Venizelos 6 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Regional geopolitical shifts are reshaping Ankara’s view of Cyprus, with Turkey increasingly treating the occupied north through a military lens. Turkey has long regarded Cyprus as a pillar of its security and of the regional balance — and as a means of maintaining what it sees as “its own superiority” — while retaining the long-term goal of controlling the island. Changes across the region are now creating a different set of circumstances, with Ankara increasingly using the occupied areas as a large military base from which to pursue its geopolitical goals. That is why it is upgrading its military infrastructure, particularly facilities linked to air power. As Phileleftheros has previously reported, unmanned aircraft and drones are stationed at the illegal airport in occupied Lefkoniko and carry out missions across the region. The military air base there has also been upgraded so that fighter aircraft can be permanently stationed there, although this has not happened so far, at least not on a permanent basis. Bayraktar TB2 UAVs can carry weapons and relay real-time imagery to Turkish vessels operating in the area. They have an operating radius of about 200 kilometres from a GDT (Ground Data Terminal), can reach a maximum altitude of 20,000 feet and can carry out ISR missions. The system installed on the occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range has a reach extending as far as Lebanon and Israel. Alongside the UAVs and drones, six F-16 fighter jets have been stationed in the occupied north since March. They are based at the airport in occupied Tymbou because the other military airfield does not yet have the infrastructure needed to accommodate fighter aircraft. Anti-aircraft systems were sent at around the same time. Ankara cited security concerns at the time, amid the war in Iran and after an unmanned aircraft crashed at the British base at Akrotiri. The real reason, however, is the presence of Greek fighter jets at the Andreas Papandreou air base. The broader picture behind Turkey’s military build-up in the occupied north is the changing geopolitical landscape across the region. Tensions with Israel and Greece Turkey’s confrontation with Israel forms part of that broader picture. Ankara has opposed cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus, Greece and Israel, arguing that Turkey itself is the target. Greece, meanwhile, has recently responded to Turkish challenges with a more forceful approach while strengthening its deterrent capabilities. This has caught Turkey by surprise and caused irritation in Ankara, which it has expressed through public statements, warnings and threats. Greece and Israel last Monday finalised their agreement on the systems forming part of the “Achilles Shield”, worth more than €3 billion and carrying a wider geopolitical dimension. In practice, the agreement also covers Cyprus and has prompted a strong reaction from Turkey. Ankara recognises that the regional balance is changing and is responding accordingly. It has stepped up violations affecting Greece, while in Cyprus it continues moves aimed at creating faits accomplis, particularly in the buffer zone. Turkey has also increased and intensified violations of Greek airspace. A UAV was recently detected and intercepted near Alexandroupolis airport. At the same time, Turkey has made what the Greek and Cypriot sides regard as an illegal declaration of Turkish maritime parks, while legislation relating to the “Blue Homeland” doctrine is expected to be presented to the Turkish parliament in the autumn. All these moves are adding to tensions and deliberately driving escalation. Beyond Turkey’s longstanding expansionist ambitions, this approach is also a response to Greece’s stronger deterrent capability and, to a lesser extent, that of Cyprus. Syria and Lebanon Across the wider region, Ankara is focusing primarily on Syria and Lebanon, positioning itself as a counterweight to Israel. Turkey has considerable influence over Syria’s new regime and, with Damascus’ tolerance, has room to act. However, the fact that Ankara did not respond to Israel’s attack on 18 August, when Israeli fighter jets struck the Abu al-Duhur military air base about 65 kilometres from the Turkish border, offers an indication of its intentions. Turkey has undertaken repairs to the base. Some believe Ankara had intended to use it and deploy systems there. Its failure to respond to the Israeli strike also illustrates the limits of the Turkish position. At the same time, Ankara is applying strong pressure in Lebanon, both on the Aoun government and by expanding its influence in different parts of the country, including through the granting of citizenship to Turkmens. Both Lebanon and Egypt have responded to Turkish overtures, but both remain cautious towards Ankara because they do not trust it. Could war break out? Could there be a war between Israel and Turkey? Turkey’s failure to respond to Israel’s strike on the military base in Syria could be interpreted as a decision by Ankara to avoid a military confrontation. Much, however, will also depend on Israel’s intentions. Analysts in Tel Aviv have said Turkey could be next after Iran, although such a scenario is far from straightforward. What is clear is that Israel does not want others controlling Lebanon and Syria, nor does it want to lose its air superiority. From Israel’s perspective, that means the airspace over Syria and Lebanon cannot be controlled by anyone other than Tel Aviv. Turkey stands on the opposite side of that equation. Could war also break out between Turkey and Greece, drawing Cyprus in? Turkey’s posture, particularly towards Greece, suggests it is prepared to push tensions to breaking point by challenging Greek sovereignty. Turkey’s decision to pursue a strategy of escalation also comes as Athens strengthens its deterrent capabilities. Greece’s defence build-up clearly acts as a deterrent, as does the fact that Greece and Cyprus are both EU member states. New meeting in shadow of deadly shipwreck President Nikos Christodoulides is due to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman next Wednesday, continuing discussions launched after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Cyprus at the end of July. The second meeting will take place in the shadow of the deadly shipwreck off occupied Kyrenia. The disaster was also the reason last week’s meeting was postponed. The first meeting produced some positive signs, above all because all issues were discussed. However, while Confidence-Building Measures are being discussed, there was no communication between the two sides after the shipwreck because of the Turkish Cypriot side’s refusal. An offer of assistance from the Republic of Cyprus was also rejected. That points to the prevailing intentions and attitudes and is clearly affecting the atmosphere. Steps towards next-generation Cyprus-Syria fibre-optic cable There have also been developments in plans for a next-generation submarine fibre-optic cable between Cyprus and Syria, known as “Ugarit-2”, which is to run between Tartus and Pentaschoinos. The parties involved are the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE), the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) and US-based UNIFI Communications. The project recently attracted attention in the Turkish media, although there has been no official reaction from Ankara or the breakaway entity in the occupied north. Turkey is known to oppose actions by the Republic of Cyprus, while the Turkish Cypriot side considers Ankara to have a dominant role in relations with neighbouring Syria. What, then, does the submarine cable agreement involve? On 1 May 2025, Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced the launch of the first phase of UGARIT 2, in cooperation with UNIFI, the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment and Cyta. That phase involves upgrading equipment in Syria, a necessary step before the country can gain international connectivity through Cyprus. The latest development came on 28 July 2026, when a Construction and Maintenance Agreement (C&MA) for UGARIT 2 was signed in Damascus by Cyta, the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment and US-based UNIFI Communications Inc. The signing was publicly announced on 11 August 2026. The distance from Tartus to Pentaschoinos is about 240 kilometres, with the system targeted to begin operating in early 2028, provided the required approvals are secured. According to information made public, marine surveys for the final cable route and the construction process are already under way. What does the project mean and what is the Republic of Cyprus’ involvement? The agreement is not a bilateral or interstate agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Syria. Cyta’s participation does not automatically make it an international agreement between the two states. The source notes that Cyta is an organisation under international law. However, given the importance of the project, particularly for Syria, state involvement can be regarded as a given even though, formally, this is not an interstate agreement. The new submarine fibre-optic cable will replace the existing UGARIT system, which entered service in 1995. The current cable is an older-generation system with limited capacity and can no longer meet present-day needs. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Cyprus temperatures to reach 38°C as seasonal low pressure hits Ronald Meinardus: Saxony-Anhalt election tests Germany’s resistance to the far right Sophia Christodoulou Makri becomes first woman and youngest leader to head EDEK Two pilots dead after Hellenic Air Force F-4 crashes during air show Both pilots unconscious after F-4 Phantom fighter jet crash in Greece (photos+video) F-4 Phantom crashes during Athens Flying Week display (photos+video) Rockslides hit Saitas–Karvounas road amid heavy rain Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.