Reactions in the TRNC to Iran's Attack on Israel

Over the past weekend, Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of rockets and drones. The President of the TRNC assessed the recent events in the region and convened the government for an urgent meeting.

The massive attack on Israeli territory by Iran occurred from Saturday night to Sunday. A total of about 400-500 drones and around 150 rockets were launched from western provinces of Iran. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 99% of them were intercepted or shot down. Damage from the attack was minor; in particular, one of the military bases in the Negev Desert in the south of the country was damaged. Around 30 people were injured in the attack, but there were no reported fatalities.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the strikes on Israel were carried out in self-defense. The attack was a retaliatory measure following Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals.

The authorities of the TRNC also reacted to the escalation of the situation in the Middle East. The President of the TRNC, Ersin Tatar, assessed the recent events in the region and convened members of the government and politicians for an urgent meeting.

"We closely monitored what happened last night. The last thing we want in our region, which has a fragile structure, is a new war," said the head of Northern Cyprus before the start of the meeting.

The high-level meeting chaired by the head of state began at the presidential residence yesterday at 17:00. The tension in the region, especially the events of the night, was discussed.

Present at the meeting were the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Nicosia, Metin Feyzioglu; Major General Sebahattin Kılınc, commander of the Cyprus-Turkish Peace Forces; Major General Osman Aytaç, commander of the security forces; and relevant ministers.

Opening the meeting, Ersin Tatar emphasized that the Republic of Turkey, as a guarantor and the most powerful country in the region, always supports the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people by all means.

The Turkish Ambassador, in turn, stated that the security of the TRNC and Turkish Cypriots falls within the responsibility zone of the Republic of Turkey under the Constitution and international law.

"The Republic of Turkey supports the TRNC as an unconditional ally and is a guarantor of peace and tranquility in the entire region," emphasized Metin Feyzioglu.

The Turkish diplomat also added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, and all institutions are working for peace and tranquility in the region.

Ersin Tatar expressed hope that tensions in the region would decrease and once again highlighted the efforts of the Republic of Turkey to ensure peace, tranquility, and security.

The head of Northern Cyprus also added that Turkish Cypriots have always had a voice in the region and want to live in peace and security. However, due to the geographical location of the TRNC, "unexpected events can occur at any time, but there is no danger that will affect the safety of people."

"Let our people be calm," called Ersin Tatar.