GREEK F16s INTERCEPTED DRONES IN LEBANESE AIRSPACE - US EMBASSY STAFF IN UNDERGROUND AS A PRECAUTION - FLIGHT TO LARNACA RETURNS TO ATHENS - AIRSPACE OPEN - Filenews 4/3
Cyprus is on constant alert, as developments in the Middle East war between Iran, the US and Israel are stormy. Increased measures have been taken to protect schools, shopping malls and hotels.
Britain has announced the dispatch of the destroyer HMS Dragon, as well as helicopters with drone capabilities, to Cyprus. In addition, France sends aircraft and frigates. At the same time, Giorgia Meloni is considering sending an Italian frigate to the area around the island.
It is recalled that yesterday two pairs of Greek F-16 fighters arrived on the island, which have been stationed at the "Andreas Papandreou" base in Paphos, while the frigates "Kimon" and "Psara" have been sailing for a while within the boundaries of the Republic of Cyprus.
Minute by minute all developments
10:43 – Information about interception of drones in Lebanese airspace by Greek F16s
Greek media report information from Cypriot government sources that two Greek F-16s took off from the Andreas Papandreou base in Paphos, and intercepted possibly two drones before they entered the airspace of Cyprus.
10:36 – Flight to Larnaca returns to Athens – Cyprus airspace open
An Aegean flight to Larnaca is returning to Athens, as it was not allowed to land at the city's airport for security reasons.
According to the information so far, the aircraft is heading back to the "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport. The airspace of Cyprus is open.
The most likely scenario is that the aircraft will refuel in Athens and then reschedule the flight to Larnaca, if conditions allow.
10:21 – Extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council
The Council of Ministers scheduled for 9 and 30 was postponed while an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council was decided at 12 o'clock, as reported by RIK.
10:18 – Greek F-16s took off – US embassy staff in underground as a precaution
An alarm was sounded around 9:30 after information about a suspicious object in the direction of Cyprus. According to information from RIK, an alarm was sounded at the American embassy in Nicosia and the staff was taken to the basements as a precaution. The Greek F-16s took off to intercept the suspicious object.
The alarm ended shortly before 10 a.m. and the staff of the American embassy returned to their duties. The presence of Greek fighters in the skies was also noticed by civilians.
10:14 – Suspicious object found near Lebanon
A possible suspicious object has been detected in the airspace near Lebanon, the Government Spokesman says. "For precautionary reasons, all appropriate measures were taken by the competent authorities to investigate and, if necessary, deal with the incident. A new update will follow on the result," he adds.
10:13 – Information on repatriations via Athens
Cypriot citizens who are evacuating from Middle Eastern countries and will return to Cyprus via Athens are informed that, in case of a stop in Athens, they can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus for any assistance or facilitation they may need.
Embassy contact number: +30 210 3734800
09:51 – Italian media: The dispatch of an Italian frigate to Cyprus is on the table
The security of Cyprus and developments in the southeastern Mediterranean were at the center of an emergency meeting of the Italian government in Rome, as the escalation of the conflict with Iran causes intense concern for the wider region.
According to Italian media such as UPDAY and The Socialist, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened a meeting at the Palazzo Quiji with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, considering measures to support allies in the Middle East but also to strengthen the security of Cyprus, which is considered exposed to the consequences of regional tension.
The possibility of sending an Italian frigate to the area around the island is on the table, with the mission of strengthening air defenses and protecting commercial shipping.
09:42 – Romania summons Iran's ambassador over strikes
Romania's foreign ministry announced late on Tuesday that it had summoned Iran's ambassador to protest Tehran's strikes against countries in the Middle East and Cyprus, underlining their impact on regional security and navigation.
"Romania appeals for the immediate de-escalation of tensions and the protection of civilians," the ministry said in a statement.
"The Romanian side expressed its deep concern about the violation of the sovereignty of the states in the region that were the target of Iran's indiscriminate attacks, as well as Romania's full solidarity with these countries."
09:38 – The announcement of the British Ministry of Defense on the mission of HMS Dragon and two helicopters
09:06 – Paphos Airport: Most cancellations since the start of the war today
Nine arrivals were cancelled today to Paphos. One from Israel by Air Haifa, four flights of the British TUI from the East Midlands, Monmouth, Cardiff and Manchester, as well as four flights of the also British EasyJet from London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh. Accordingly, the departures of these flights were also cancelled.
It is worth noting that many flights of the British Jet2 and one of British Airways that were scheduled for today to and from Paphos, are operating normally.
Today is the day with the most cancellations in the flight schedule of Paphos Airport, since the start of the war last Saturday.
08:15 – The frigates Kimon and Psara arrive in Cyprus
The two frigates of the Navy have been sailing for a while now within the boundaries of the Republic of Cyprus.
07:57 – The State Department's directive is a formal precautionary procedure, says Government source
According to a government source in Nicosia, this is a standard preventive procedure implemented by the US State Department in various countries when assessing regional developments.
This stage is the mildest level of measures that can be taken. In practice, it does not involve the removal of personnel nor does it imply the existence of any immediate threat. It simply gives the possibility, if they so wish, to family members of diplomats or to a limited number of non-essential staff to leave temporarily, if they deem it appropriate.
It is important to note that authorized departure is substantially different from the mandatory departure stage, which entails a mandatory departure of personnel. The latter has been applied to a number of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf due to developments in the region, which is not the case in the case of Cyprus.
On the part of the government, it is reiterated that the Republic of Cyprus is in constant communication and coordination with its partners and the competent authorities, while the situation is constantly being evaluated. There is no indication that warrants concern in relation to security in the country.
07:55 – The role of the troops coming to the island is defensive – "They did not bring frigates to hit Iran"
In his statements to the state channel, the Deputy Government Spokesman, Yiannis Antoniou, clarified regarding the sending of forces from Greece, Britain and France to Cyprus, that "their mission is ad hoc, special purpose and is in a defensive arrangement".
He stressed that "they want to support us defensively. They did not bring frigates to strike Iran. We must take our measures."
07:43 – Cancellations of 24 arrivals and 24 flight departures on Wednesday at Larnaca airport
Due to the situation in the Middle East, the cancellations of arrivals and departures of flights to and from Larnaca Airport continue.
According to the website of the management company of the Cyprus airports Hermes Airports, at Larnaca airport from 5:30 in the morning today until 11:05 tonight there are 24 cancellations of arrivals. Besides, from 5:30 in the morning until 11:20 tonight, 24 flight departures have been cancelled.
Since the day before yesterday, flight cancellations from European countries such as Germany, England, Austria have been recorded, while major airlines such as British airways, Lufthansa, Easy jet, Austrian Airlines have suspended their flight schedule to and from Cyprus.
Passengers who have a planned trip are encouraged to contact their airline or travel agent before going to the Airport.
07:23 – President thanks to Macron for support to the Republic of Cyprus
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, warmly thanked the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, for France's support to Cyprus, following the announcement of the sending of military aid.
In a post on X on Tuesday night, the President noted that Cyprus and France are linked by a strong and lasting strategic partnership.
"In these times of crisis, this cooperative is concretely expressed through close cooperation and active solidarity," the President pointed out in his French-language post.
07:20 – Repatriation flights of Cypriots from the Middle East begin
Flights for the repatriation of Cypriots who are in areas affected by the crisis in the Middle East begin today, Wednesday, based on what was announced on Tuesday night by the Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letympiotis.
In his statements, Mr. Letympiotis stated that "the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the context of the overall management of the developments formed due to the regional crisis, and in particular in relation to the number of our fellow citizens who are in the UAE, informs that the chartering of flights for their repatriation has been launched". He added that the necessary arrangements have been completed and the relevant procedures are underway.
07:07 – British reinforcements in Akrotiri: Giant transport under the watchful eye of modern drones
The base in Akrotiri remains on high alert, as Great Britain accelerates the shielding of its forces in the area after the drone strike.
Yesterday's landing of the giant Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport in Cyprus marks the beginning of a new phase of strengthening the deterrent power of the British, at the same time that the "battle of the skies" is raging over the Mediterranean.
06:50 – The Monastery of Agios Georgios is a refuge of hope for 25 residents of Akrotiri
With their few belongings, that is, what they managed to collect in the panic and confusion that prevailed, 25 residents of the Akrotiri community, found refuge in the Holy Monastery of Agios Georgios of the Caves, in Erimi. A monastery that makes you at peace. Where the soul finds consolation, parents and children rushed to spend the first night after the mandatory evacuation of Akrotiri, after the interception of the two drones by fighter jets of the Bases yesterday at noon.
06:30 – European protection shield against new provocations from Iran
The weapons systems that are already in Cyprus and those that will come in the next 24 hours will be in and around the island for as long as necessary depending on the developments in Iran and the wider Middle East region.
