Cyprus affirms neutrality amidst UK air strikes on Houthi positions

The Republic of Cyprus is not involved in any operation of a military nature, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told CNA on Friday, following the announcement that British aircraft stationed at Akrotiri Base in the British Bases, were part of an operation that carried air strikes on military positions belonging to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

In a statement to CNA, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said that the Republic of Cyprus is actively monitoring the security situation in the region, which has deteriorated and stresses the need for an immediate end to actions that threaten free and safe navigation and endanger the wider security of the region”.

Invited to comment on the overnight military strikes by air from Akrotiri against Houthi positions, Gotsis said: "As regards the use of the UK bases in Cyprus, the Government is in constant communication with the UK always within the framework set by the Treaty of Establishment and its accompanying documents."

The security of Cyprus, as well as our relations with states in the region, he noted, "is the government's top priority in the relevant contacts."

On the situation in the Red Sea, Gotsis said that the “Republic of Cyprus is systematically monitoring the disturbing developments in the Red Sea in close coordination with the EU and in constant contact with our other regional and international partners.”

"We observe", he said, "that the security situation in our region has deteriorated which is of particular concern to us" and explained that "as a state in the region with a significant maritime footprint, we clearly stress the need for an immediate end to all actions that threaten free and safe navigation and endanger the wider security of the region".

The Foreign Ministry Spokesman stressed the "need to implement international law and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on the region, as well as the importance of demonstrating maximum restraint to avoid further escalation in the Red Sea and the wider region".