Filenews 23 May 2021 - by Kostas Venizelos
The construction of a large naval base in occupied Trikom and the upgrading of the airport are high on the priorities of the occupying force and in this direction seem to be moving. According to secure information, Ankara aims to establish a large military base on the island, with the main aim of controlling the wider region.
Turkey's powerful National Security Council is reportedly linking this move to the strategic pursuit of occupying power to become a regional power. This, the same sources say, is considered from the Turkish point of view to be possible by strengthening military power at sea and air and by being present in an "advanced outpost", as they see it to be Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
Ankara is aware of the timeless role of British bases and their usefulness in operations in the region. On the basis of this model, especially its strategic importance, the Turkish side is moving to create its own modern, high-tech infrastructure, which it will use, when necessary. It is now clear that Cyprus will be used to implement a control plan for the region as, according to the Turks, the construction of the base will gain an advantage over other countries.
It is clear from the plans that occupying Turkey will gather forces, possibly stationing a large number of warships, at the new naval base in Trikom.
The air base
Drones. Drones, have been installed at the airport of the occupied Lefkonikos. Information indicates that, when the General Staff will judge, fighter aircraft will be stationed permanently at the airport. It is clear that the initial installation of the drones was done to fly around Turkey's drilling rigs and research vessels, which were conducting illegal searches in the Cypriot EEZ. Their reinforcement will now include armed men.
All this combined with the number of troops, located in occupied Cyprus, create a strong force on the island and especially in the region.
Third party concern
Relevant information indicates that states in the region, as well as strong international players, who over time have good relations with Ankara, are concerned about these plans of occupying Turkey. They note actions that point to moves to strengthen Turkey's military presence and power in the region. Its involvement in Syria, Libya and. for many, in Israel's recent conflicts with Hamas raises serious concerns about the next steps of an expansive and aggressive country. The upgrading of Turkey's military presence, at a time when power redistribution is underway, where the US still has not fully cleared the landscape for its plans, has obviously raised alarm in many states.
Turkey is dangerously upgrading its presence and this - it is now clear - is not only worrying Cyprus, which has been experiencing the Turkish occupation for decades, but also other countries, the region and beyond. The Erdogan regime is acting dangerously and de-stabilisingly.
Announcements for Famagusta?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that on the anniversary of the invasion, he will be in the occupied territories making announcements, which will not only concern Cyprus, but also more widely. He hinted that it would concern Turkey's presence in the region and also mentioned energy.
At the same time, it is clear that Ankara, in cooperation with the occupying regime, is continuing work within the enclave of occupied Cyprus. They are preparing for the full opening of the area so that when the political decision is taken they can proceed immediately with its implementation.
These plans, both with the military base and for Famagusta, clearly show that the occupying force is not prepared to seriously discuss reaching an agreement on the Cyprus issue. It is now moving openly in other directions.
FROM 2019 SPECIALS FROM TURKEY
In that regard, it should be recalled that in June 2019 information came to light in Turkish media that Turkish experts had travelled to the occupied territories to examine on the spot the possibilities of building infrastructure. These infrastructures concerned the operation of a naval base and the exploitation of the airport in the occupied area. In December of that year, it was reported in reports that the illegal airport of the occupied Lefkonikos, which was occasionally used for military purposes, would function as a base for Turkish drones. On 15 December 2019, Kundret Ozersai, then the occupation regime's so-called foreign minister, announced the arrival of cargo at the occupied port of Famagusta, which concerned the ground-based drone control system. They were transported in three trucks. What Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a few days ago is the strengthening and upgrading of the air base.
