Cypriot Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas confirmed to the media that US military transport aircraft were stationed in Cyprus this Wednesday, but stressed that they are not on the island to undertake combat missions.
Speaking on state broadcaster CyBC, Palmas said that the US planes currently stationed at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos are not fighter jets, but transport aircraft that can be used to move personnel, whether US military staff or civilians, if necessary.
"These are not fighter jets," he explained. "They are part of routine cooperation and preparation for possible evacuations."
Cyprus has long been used as a safe passage point in regional crises due to its strategic location. Ministry of Defense spokesman Christos Pieris told CNA that, as in past emergencies in Sudan and Lebanon, Cyprus is once again ready to support evacuation operations through its humanitarian plan "Estia".
Officials declined to say exactly how many planes have landed, but confirmed that a small number of transport planes are currently stationed at both the Paphos base and Larnaca airport as part of precautionary measures.
" This is not about military operations. This is mainly about humanitarian purposes, supporting civilians fleeing conflict zones ," Pieris said.
Meanwhile, Minister Palmas also noted that Cyprus regularly hosts aircraft and naval forces from allied or friendly countries and that international ships are monitoring the wider region from nearby waters.
Authorities said they have been closely monitoring the regional security situation over the past six days and have taken all necessary emergency measures to ensure public safety. (A2 Televizion)
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