Reactions continue regarding the United Kingdom’s (UK) decision to send an additional 700 soldiers to its sovereign bases in Cyprus.

In a statement on the issue, President Ersin Tatar expressed concern, saying, “The continuous increase of the military presence of both the UK and the US in Cyprus in recent times is troubling.”

Tatar also added that the Greek Cypriot administration turning Cyprus into a military base used by various countries not only destabilizes the Eastern Mediterranean but also makes the island a target for many organizations based in the Middle East.

President Ersin Tatar criticized the UK’s decision to send an additional 700 soldiers to its sovereign bases in Cyprus, citing the reason of evacuating its citizens from Lebanon.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Tatar expressed concern over the potential for a regional war following Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the risk of a large-scale assault on Lebanon.

He said that the UK’s deployment of extra troops to its bases in Cyprus could be in preparation for such a conflict.

Referring to a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who noted that South Cyprus had turned into a base for certain countries during operations, especially those targeting Gaza, Tatar said, “My evaluation is that the increase in troop numbers at the UK’s sovereign bases in Cyprus is part of measures taken in anticipation of the spread of a potential war in the region.”

Stressing that Türkiye remained the guarantor for all of Cyprus, and that turning the island into a military base for foreign countries by the Greek Cypriots was both contrary to international agreements and unacceptable, the President said, “The continuous increase in the military presence of the UK and the US in Cyprus is unsettling not only for us but also for the Greek Cypriots, as can be seen from public reactions and media reports. We are closely monitoring these developments with Türkiye.”

Noting that the Greek Cypriots, by allowing Cyprus to become a military hub for many countries, were destabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean and turning the island into a target for various organizations based in the Middle East, Tatar stressed that the Greek Cypriot leadership needed to adopt a more realistic approach to these issues.