Accidental Missile Strike in Cyprus Unlikely

Israeli missiles attack Lebanon

The chance of Cyprus being accidentally hit* by missiles fired from the Middle East is low, retired military expert Colonel Andis Loizos told Cyprus News Agency. He added, however, that it could not be ruled out completely, Yeniduzen reported.

Loizos noted that Cyprus is currently not within the scope of Iran’s military targets and added that the United States, which has recently strengthened its ties with the Republic of Cyprus and uses its infrastructure for “supply and support” purposes, would not allow such an event to happen.

He also mentioned that Iran does not have the luxury of targeting countries other than Israel. However, he warned that Turkey’s potential involvement in the conflict, particularly on the Lebanese front, could be dangerous.

This statement came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey would support Lebanon if Israel launched a ground operation there. Loizos suggested that Turkey could take advantage of the situation to increase its influence in the region, providing support that could include weapons, ammunition, and military advisors. He added that the illegal military infrastructure in the north could be used for this purpose.

Regarding the British bases in Cyprus, Loizos underlined the role of the UK in sharing intelligence with Israel and other allies, like Jordan, which recently intercepted missiles aimed at Israel from Iran.

Speaking about the risk of an escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel, Loizos said that such a scenario is unlikely, given the strong support Israel receives from its allies, especially the U.S. He pointed out that Iran faces significant challenges—geographical, operational, technological, and economic—that would prevent it from engaging in direct conflict with Israel.

*There was an incident during the 2006 Lebanon War( Israel-Hezbollah War) involving an accidental missile strike in Cyprus. On July 17, 2006, a missile from an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon accidentally landed in Cyprus. The missile, reportedly aimed at a target in southern Lebanon, went off course and fell in the area near Vouni, a village in North Cyprus.

Fortunately, the missile landed in an uninhabited area, and there were no casualties or significant damage. Cyprus, being located relatively close to Lebanon, was indirectly affected by the conflict due to its proximity, but this accidental missile strike was a rare and isolated event. Cypriot authorities protested the incident but kept a neutral stance in the broader conflict. [LGC News Ed.]

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