Turkey mulls sending F-16s to north Cyprus amid drone attacks

Turkey is considering the possibility of sending F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus as a security measure, a Turkish defense ministry source says, days after the island was targeted by a drone attack.

“In light of recent developments, phased planning is being carried out to ensure the security of the TRNC,” the source says, referring to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a territory consisting of the northern third of the island, which is only recognized by Ankara.

“The deployment of F-16 aircraft to the island is among the options being considered.”

Cyprus, which holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, has been directly affected by retaliatory attacks following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, with an Iranian-made drone hitting a British base on the island on Monday.

The Cypriot government has said that the drone was probably fired by the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and not fired from Iran itself.

Following the drone incident, several European countries have pledged assistance to Cyprus, sending air defenses and other military assets.

Defense ministers from the 27 EU nations had been due to hold talks in Nicosia next week but since the attack all such meetings have been moved online or rescheduled.

Turkey is not a member of the European Union.