Merve Berker, Busra Nur Cakmak and Utku Simsek
11 June 2026•Update: 11 June 2026
Any military alliance targeting the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has "no chance of success," Türkiye's National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
At its weekly press briefing, the ministry said the Turkish Armed Forces have the strength and determination to give "the harshest response" to hostile actions threatening the security of Turkish Cypriots.
Türkiye is closely monitoring “the provocation aimed at destabilizing and escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry said, referring to an agreement signed between France and the Greek Cypriot Administration.
“The agreement signed between France, which has no guarantor status in Cyprus, and the Greek Cypriot Administration, which aims to unilaterally alter the delicate balance on the island and disregards the will and sovereign equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots, is contrary to the 1960 Cyprus Agreements and international law,” it said.
The ministry said such steps, which it described as lacking legitimacy and disregarding potential consequences, could have dangerous repercussions for the south of the island.
“We reiterate that any military alliance that ignores the delicate balance in the region and targets the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has no chance of success against Türkiye,” the ministry said.
As a guarantor country, Türkiye will continue to protect the rights and interests of the TRNC and ensure its security, the ministry said.
"The Turkish Armed Forces have the strength and determination to give the strongest response to hostile attitudes that threaten the security of the Turkish Cypriots," it added.
Claims on Greek aircraft
Responding to reports in the Greek media that “Turkish aircraft harassed a Greek plane,” the ministry said the claims do not reflect the truth.
The ministry said Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration disregard the rights and interests of the TRNC, fail to respect the delicate balance in the region and engage in activities that at times violate TRNC airspace.
“On June 7, four of six aircraft flying on the Greece-Greek Cypriot Administration route violated TRNC airspace, and therefore two of our F-16 aircraft on alert reaction duty stationed in the TRNC were immediately scrambled as a precautionary measure,” it said.
"Our aircraft operated over the airspace of the TRNC and did not violate the airspace of the Greek Cypriots; the aforementioned traffic was not harassed. Attempts and statements aimed at creating a perception of victimhood, which increase tension in the region and are provocative, are unacceptable."
Türkiye favors diplomacy
Responding to a question about the conflict involving Israel, the US and Iran, the ministry said Türkiye supports resolving disputes through diplomacy.
“The conflicts, which began with attacks on Iran by Israel and the US and intensified after Iran targeted third countries, have harmed global and regional stability,” it said.
“On the other hand, we are closely following the developments resulting from the renewed conflicts. We reiterate that the attacks must end immediately, that the conflicts will not benefit any side, and that we favor resolving the issue through diplomacy,” it added.
