Northern Cyprus Tensions Rise: Israel Flags Security Concerns, Signals Support for Greece and Cyprus

NICOSIA – As Cyprus marked the 51st anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 invasion, a provocative op-ed in Israel Hayom, a leading Israeli newspaper, has called for Israel to support Greece and the Republic of Cyprus in addressing the growing threat posed by Turkey’s military buildup in Northern Cyprus.

The article, penned by analyst Shay Gal on July 29, 2025, frames the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as a strategic concern not only for Cyprus and Greece but also for Israel’s national security, sparking debate about a potential new chapter in the Eastern Mediterranean’s geopolitics.

A Painful Legacy and Emerging Threats
The 1974 Turkish invasion, which followed ethnic tensions and a Greek-backed coup, left Cyprus divided, with over 150,000 Greek Cypriots displaced and thousands killed or missing. The TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, remains a flashpoint, with ongoing UN-led peace talks stalled. For Greek Cypriots, the occupation is a lingering wound, and Greece has long supported Cyprus’s push for reunification.

The Israel Hayom op-ed argues that Northern Cyprus has transformed into a Turkish military hub, posing risks to regional stability. It cites the deployment of Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones at Lefkoniko airfield since 2021, alongside ATMACA anti-ship missiles and Typhoon ballistic missiles in Kyrenia and Famagusta. These assets, Gal claims, could target Israeli maritime infrastructure or cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa. The piece also alleges, without verified evidence, that the region serves as an unregulated base for groups like Hamas, raising concerns about illicit activities.

Israel’s Strategic Shift
Historically, Israel viewed the Cyprus conflict as a Greek-Turkish issue. However, deteriorating relations with Turkey and the TRNC’s proximity to Israel’s offshore gas fields have shifted this stance. Gal’s op-ed proposes a contingency operation, “Poseidon’s Wrath,” involving Greece, Cyprus, and Israel to neutralize Turkish military capabilities and restore Cypriot sovereignty if threats escalate. The reference to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, underscores the cultural and strategic ties among the three nations, forged through the Greece-Cyprus-Israel trilateral alliance.

Greek and Cypriot Reactions
In Athens, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis welcomed the deepening of ties with Israel and Cyprus, particularly in energy and defense, but stopped short of endorsing military action. “Greece remains committed to a stable Eastern Mediterranean through diplomacy and cooperation,” he said in a recent statement. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking at the invasion anniversary, reiterated the need for a “just and viable solution” to the Cyprus problem, emphasizing UN-led negotiations.

Analysts in Nicosia see Israel’s concerns as an opportunity to bolster the trilateral alliance but warn of risks. “Turkey’s 30,000 troops in Northern Cyprus and its NATO membership make military action complex,” said Dr. Maria Papadopoulos, a geopolitics expert at the University of Cyprus. “Any move must balance strategic goals with the potential for escalation.”

Regional Stakes
The Eastern Mediterranean is already tense, with disputes over maritime boundaries and gas exploration fueling rivalries. The Greece-Cyprus-Israel partnership, supported by the U.S. through the 3+1 framework, has countered Turkey’s influence via joint naval drills and projects like the EastMed pipeline. Turkey’s military buildup in Northern Cyprus, however, threatens this balance, potentially destabilizing the region.

Looking Ahead
The Israel Hayom op-ed has sparked discussion on platforms like X, with users like @warintel4u noting Israel’s call for “coordinated action.” However, claims of Israel funding a “civil war” in Cyprus, circulating online, lack evidence and misrepresent the op-ed’s focus on a hypothetical military operation.

As Greece and Cyprus weigh their next steps, the prospect of closer ties with Israel offers both opportunities and challenges. For now, diplomacy remains the priority, but the op-ed underscores a shared interest in addressing Turkey’s growing influence in Northern Cyprus—a reminder of the island’s enduring significance to Hellenic identity and regional security.

For updates on this developing story, visit greekcitytimes.com or follow us on X.

By Stella Mazonakis, Greek City Times
July 31, 2025, Nicosia