Newsroom
Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas confirmed Wednesday that American military transport planes are stationed in Cyprus but stressed they are not here for combat missions.
Speaking on state broadcaster CyBC, Palmas said the U.S. aircraft currently at Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos are not fighter jets but transport planes that can be used to move personnel, either U.S. military staff or civilians, if needed.
Officials declined to say exactly how many aircraft have landed but confirmed a small number of transport planes are currently stationed at both the Paphos base and Larnaca airport
“These are not combat aircraft,” he clarified. “They are part of routine cooperation and preparedness for potential evacuations.”
Cyprus has long been used as a safe passage point in regional crises due to its strategic location. Defense Ministry spokesperson Christos Pieris told CNA that, as in past emergencies in Sudan and Lebanon, Cyprus is once again ready to support evacuation operations through its “Estia” humanitarian plan.
Officials declined to say exactly how many aircraft have landed but confirmed 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,” Pieris said. “It’s primarily for humanitarian purposes, supporting civilians fleeing conflict zones.”
Palmas also noted that Cyprus regularly hosts aircraft and naval forces from allied or friendly nations and that international vessels are monitoring the broader region from nearby waters.
Authorities said they have been closely watching the regional security situation for the past six days and have taken all necessary emergency measures to ensure public safety.
*With info from CNA
