Cyprus emerges as NATO's secret ally in Middle East evacuations

By Vassilis Nedos

The significant role of Cyprus in evacuating and rescuing US and Western countries from Israel and Lebanon has garnered attention recently.

Meanwhile, non-NATO member Cyprus has seen an increasing presence of NATO staff members, stationed at the UK's sovereign bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which are considered territory belonging to a NATO member state.

These NATO staff members are establishing an operations center to plan and coordinate civilian evacuation missions from Israel and Lebanon.

These missions involve intricate planning, including real-time intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and the deployment of special forces. This development has also piqued Washington's interest.

In parallel, as Israeli operations intensify in the Gaza Strip, Greece is taking a distinct stance, distancing itself from the Netanyahu government's approach. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the need to strike a delicate balance and voiced concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

He underscored Greece's support for the civilians of Gaza and highlighted efforts to provide humanitarian aid, including discussions with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Abbas.

Regarding the UN vote, Mitsotakis noted that Greece was not alone in abstaining from a resolution seen as unbalanced by the majority of EU states, respecting the strategic relationship with Israel while recognizing the right of Palestinians to an independent state.

[This article was translated from its Greek original]