Turkish soldiers harass Greek Cypriot farmers in Cyprus buffer zone

Turkish soldiers harassed Greek Cypriot farmers in the United Nations buffer zone near the village of Denia, west of Nicosia, on Wednesday morning. According to local community leader Charalambos Alexandrou, Turkish troops approached farmers working in their fields and attempted to force them to leave the area.

United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) personnel were dispatched immediately to de-escalate the tension and restore calm. UNFICYP spokesman Aleem Siddique stated that the force was mobilized to preserve the existing status quo and that both sides eventually agreed to retreat from the area. The farmers were able to finish their work in the presence of both the peacekeepers and the Turkish soldiers.

This incident follows a pattern of similar harassment reported over the last two months. The tension comes shortly after Denia village officials met with UNFICYP chief Khassim Diagne to request increased patrols and a more visible peacekeeping presence to ensure farmer safety during the seasonal farming period.