File photo.
Greece will send two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus as security concerns escalate around the Mediterranean island, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said Monday.
“Following the unprovoked attacks on the territory of Cyprus, Greece will… contribute in every possible way to the defense of the Republic of Cyprus in order to address the threats and illegal actions taking place on its territory,” Dendias said.
He added that he will visit Cyprus on Tuesday along with General Dimitrios Choupis, chief of the Armed Forces, for meetings with President Nikos Christodoulides and Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas to better coordinate the stance of the two allies.
Earlier Monday, a Cypriot government spokesperson said two unmanned drones heading toward RAF Akrotiri were “successfully intercepted.” The incident occurred just hours after the base had been struck by another drone.
Also on Monday, a passenger terminal at Paphos airport was evacuated after a suspicious object was detected on radar, Cyprus’s state broadcaster reported.