Lefkoşa, June 13, 2026: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has lodged a formal protest after a Greek Cypriot official, accompanied by personnel from the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), allegedly entered TRNC territory without authorization.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the incident occurred on June 11 when a Greek Cypriot individual reportedly entered the Çayhan Düzü area, which the TRNC considers part of its territory. Authorities said the individual was accompanied by UNFICYP personnel during the visit.
An investigation conducted by TRNC authorities determined that the individual was an employee of the Fire Service of the Greek Cypriot Administration and was present in the area as part of an activity being carried out within the Buffer Zone in cooperation with UNFICYP.
The ministry stated that legal proceedings were initiated against the individual for the alleged unauthorized entry. Following the completion of the necessary procedures and the issuance of official warnings, the individual was released.
In its statement, the TRNC Foreign Ministry criticized UNFICYP for allegedly allowing activities within the Buffer Zone without informing or obtaining approval from TRNC authorities. It described the incident as unacceptable and expressed concern that such activities had extended into what it regards as TRNC territory.
“The extension of such activities to include the territory of the TRNC further increases the seriousness of the matter,” the ministry said.
The ministry confirmed that it had made formal representations to UNFICYP and lodged an official protest over what it termed a border violation. It urged the UN peacekeeping mission to ensure closer coordination with TRNC authorities in future operations to prevent similar incidents and avoid creating tensions on the island.
Reaffirming its position, the ministry stated that Çayhan Düzü falls within the territory of the TRNC and that fire safety responsibilities in the area are carried out by the TRNC Fire Service. It further emphasized its commitment to safeguarding what it described as the country’s sovereign rights and territorial borders.
The incident comes amid the longstanding dispute over Cyprus, where the island remains divided between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Türkiye. UNFICYP has been stationed on the island since 1964 to help maintain peace and stability across the Buffer Zone separating the two sides.
