Filenews 15 April 2024
With increased patrols and where an increase in static guards was required, Cyprus is attempting to safeguard foreign interests, following Iran's attack on Israel.
The increased vigilance extends beyond the embassies of the countries directly involved to other critical infrastructures such as diplomatic missions of Arab states and to facilities of Arab interests, such as businesses and company offices.
The measures at the Iranian embassy on Armenias Street in Acropolis are evident, while patrols around the apartment building housing the Israeli embassy were stepped up on Prodromou Avenue. Measures at the Israeli embassy had been increased after October 7, 2023 and Hamas' deadly strike on a youth festival near the Gaza Strip.
As stated yesterday by Police spokesman Christos Andreou, increased security measures are being taken as of Saturday and all information that reaches the Police regarding security issues is evaluated and additional measures are taken where and where needed. "We also see in Europe where there are incidents that you cannot predict. We are proceeding with intelligence gathering and evaluation, but there is nothing at the moment," he said.
The measures were extended to airports. In Larnaka, a special operational plan of the Police is being implemented, with increased security measures and armed police officers and soldiers. Increased security measures are also being taken at Paphos Airport at checkpoints and outdoors.
At the same time, a state of alert has been in place at Andreas Papandreou Air Base since the first moment of the escalation of tension in the Middle East.
