Excavators used to carry out work in the area between occupied Arsos and the bi-communal village of Pyla, push UNFIKYP vehicles – Mitsotakis – Christodoulidis telephone communication
Videos of the serious incidents that took place in the morning in the dead zone in Pyla, where Turkish Cypriots attacked members of the UN, men of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, were released on Facebook.
As can be seen in the video below, two excavators used to carry out work in an area between the occupied Arsus and the bi-communal village of Pyla, push UNFIKYP vehicles, causing damage to the vehicles.
The attack was condemned by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cypriot government, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, while UNFICYP itself spoke of a “serious crime”.
Read more: Telephone communication between Mitsotakis and Christodoulidis regarding the events in the Dead Zone
According to information from the Citizen of Cyprus, United Nations men headed to the area to block the works for the extension/improvement of the existing road between the occupied Arsus and the bi-communal village of Pyla, which constitute a violation of the status quo. Tension arose there with groups of Turkish Cypriots attacking and beating them, also damaging UN vehicles.
Athens: “We unequivocally condemn today’s unacceptable attacks”
We unequivocally condemn today’s unacceptable attacks by Turkish Cypriots against the members of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), who tried to prevent unauthorized road construction works within the dead zone near Pyla, the Foreign Ministry emphasizes.
“The attempt to create executions within the dead zone is a flagrant violation of the status quo, while the attack on members of the UN peacekeeping force constitutes an act of contempt for international legality” it is noted.
“Illegal operations must be stopped immediately and there is a need to avoid any kind of activity that will cause further escalation. Similar actions do not contribute at all to the efforts of the UN to revive the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem”, says Athens.
Greece is in full coordination with the Republic of Cyprus and will take all appropriate actions towards international organizations and governments.
Nicosia: “Unacceptable attack”
This is an unacceptable attack against British and Slovak members of the UN Peacekeeping Force, says Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letympiotis in a written statement.
“Threats against the security of UN peacekeepers are reprehensible and constitute a serious crime under International Law, as rightly stated in the Peacekeeping Force announcement. The Government is taking all diplomatic actions and is in constant contact with the United Nations, Permanent Members of the SA, the EU, the Greek Government and with the leadership of the Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to prevent the Turkish plans”, Mr. Letympiotis points out.
Condemnation also by Charles Michel – Diplomatic actions to prevent the Turkish designs
The attack provoked the strong reaction of the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
“I strongly condemn the attack against UNFICYP peacekeepers by Turkish Cypriot personnel in Pyla today. Ensuring the safety of peacekeepers and de-escalating the situation must remain a priority. In contact with Christodoulidis, I am closely monitoring the situation and calling for peace in the region,” the president of the European Council says in his message.
Source: Skai
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