Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sources from Mehr News Agency: The Americans have requested, through intermediaries from various countries, the continuation of negotiations with Iran
Mehr News Agency, citing sources: The Iranian Foreign Ministry is considering a US request to continue negotiations after they failed to halt Iran's nuclear capabilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five martyrs and several wounded after the occupation targeted a group of civilians in Al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City
Hamas: The comprehensive failure, military, political, and moral, exposes the falsehoods of the Zionist propaganda machine and reaffirms that our struggle is one of willpower and steadfastness
Hamas: Hamas: The slogans of "crushing defeat" and "total eradication" of the movement have collapsed in the face of explosive tunnels and the Resistance’s ambushes
Hamas: 640 days into the aggression, the occupation has utterly failed to break Gaza’s will or subdue its resistance
Iranian FM spokesperson denies Trump’s claims about Iran requesting a meeting with the US: We have made no such request to the American side
OHCHR: We have concerns that Nasser's arrest is part of efforts to eliminate legitimate forms of Palestinian expression
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Six killed or injured in Israeli drone strike on displaced persons’ tents in Sanabel camp, al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Several injuries reported as a result of the drone strike on the displaced persons' tent in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis

Cyprus receives Israeli air defense system: Local media

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 Dec 2024 08:38
4 Min Read

The Barak MX anti-aircraft system is set to complement and eventually replace the older Russian-made Tor M1.

Listen
  • x
  • Cyprus receives Israeli air defense system: Local media
    Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, left front, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu review a military guard of honor before their meeting at the presidential palace in the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Sunday, September 3, 2023 (AP)

Cyprus has received an Israeli air defense system, local media reported on Thursday, as the eastern Mediterranean island seeks to diversify its defense suppliers following the loss of Russia as a key provider, Reuters reported.

According to the TV station Sigma, initial deliveries of the system were made on Tuesday. However, Cypriot officials refrained from commenting on the details of the report.

"The only thing I can say is we will, and are doing everything necessary to bolster the deterrence force of Cyprus, not only because we are a country under occupation, but an EU member state in a region of particular geo-strategic importance," Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told reporters on Thursday.

Cyprus has remained divided since a Turkish offensive in 1974, triggered by a brief Greece-backed coup. The internationally recognized government controls the southern part of the island, while a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state, heavily militarized, governs the north.

The Barak MX anti-aircraft system is set to complement and eventually replace the older Russian-made Tor M1, Reuters noted.

While Russia had been a primary supplier of military hardware to Cyprus for decades, arms deals with Moscow had already been declining before a blanket ban on exports following the start of the war in Ukraine.

These sanctions have left Cyprus’ existing defense systems without spare parts and unable to undergo upgrades, a senior Cypriot source told the news agency.

"That is why Cyprus is turning to other countries of the European Union, as well as Israel. As part of that, efforts are underway to upgrade our anti-aircraft umbrella," the source added.

Due to ongoing tensions with Turkiye, Cypriot officials rarely disclose details about procurement programs.

In 1998, a Cypriot attempt to bolster its anti-aircraft defenses with Russian S-300 surface-to-air missiles led to a military standoff with Turkiye, forcing Nicosia to reroute the system to Crete.

That acquisition faced opposition from both the UK and the US at the time. However, relations between Cyprus and Washington have significantly improved in recent years, with Cyprus aligning its policies more closely with the West.

On Thursday, President Christodoulides held a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, during which he emphasized his commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

TRNC voices concerns over Southern Cyprus’ militarization, strategic alliances

On its part, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Thursday expressed deep concern over the increasing militarization of Southern Cyprus and its facilitation of foreign forces through strategic alliances with powerful nations such as the United States.

The TRNC's Foreign Ministry warned that American backing for Southern Cyprus, presented as "strategic partnerships" and military collaborations with "Israel" and France, poses a serious threat to regional stability.

Recent media reports indicate that Southern Cyprus is pursuing the integration of "Israel's" air defense system into its military infrastructure and has initiated discussions about potential NATO membership, the Ministry stated.

It emphasized that "such attempts disregard NATO's principle of unanimous decisions for expansion and reflect Southern Cyprus' misplaced confidence bolstered by its allies."

The TRNC also criticized the European Union’s "historical mistake" of admitting Southern Cyprus as a member without resolving the longstanding Cyprus issue.

"Southern Cyprus' NATO aspirations demonstrate how emboldened they have become under the support of certain powers," the Ministry underscored.

The TRNC reiterated its opposition to Southern Cyprus' transformation into a military outpost serving external powers’ interests.

"We will continue our struggle as equal co-owners of the island," the statement declared, warning that militarization under the guise of addressing a "security threat" could have catastrophic consequences for the entire island.

The ministry concluded by urging all parties to act with restraint and called on international actors to stop enabling Southern Cyprus.

"We once again invite all stakeholders to exercise common sense and halt actions that escalate tensions," it said.

Read more: Turkey’s Fidan warns Cyprus to ‘stay away’ from 'Israel's' wars

  • Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
  • Turkey
  • Russia
  • Israel
  • Cyprus
  • Barak MX
  • Northern Cyprus
  • TRNC

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • Today
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' concealed damage inflicted by Iran in war, report finds

  • Politics
  • 5 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Big beautiful bill's ugly reality for American healthcare
US & Canada

'Big beautiful bill's' ugly reality for American healthcare

Ukrainian Forces struggle to hold Eastern front lines: NYT
Europe

Ukrainian forces struggle to hold eastern frontlines: NYT

Plan proposes transit camps for Gazans ahead of possible relocation
US & Canada

GHF proposed 'transit areas' plan prior to Gaza residents 'relocation'

Lavrov: IAEA will be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments
Europe

IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS