03.08.2026 11:16
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler announced that the Turkish Armed Forces' military readiness posture has been updated regarding developments on the island of Cyprus. Emphasizing that Turkey is carefully analyzing developments on the island and in the region, including Israel's activities in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, and their possible effects, Güler stated that necessary military and political measures continue to be taken against any potential threat.
Hasan Öztürkmen, a deputy from the Turkish Grand National Assembly for Gaziantep from the CHP, submitted a written parliamentary question to the Ministry of National Defense, asking how Turkey would respond to NATO's new security architecture and the increasing cooperation between the USA, Israel, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot Administration in the Eastern Mediterranean, and whether Israel's attempts posing a threat to Turkey's national security via Syria have been identified.
ISRAEL'S ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS UNDER SCRUTINY
In his written response to the parliamentary question, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler recalled that after the Cold War, NATO focused on out-of-area operations, crisis management, and the rules-based international order.
Güler stated that in the near term, the USA's focus on the Asia-Pacific region under its 2025 National Security Strategy document and its reduction of conventional forces in Europe necessitate European allies and Canada to take on more responsibility, adding, "Turkey, within the scope of the principle of regional ownership, is taking all necessary measures together with our NATO allies Bulgaria and Romania to maintain security and stability in the Black Sea, and is providing all possible support, in sincere dialogue with all parties, for a just, lasting, and honorable peace in Ukraine."
Güler emphasized that Turkey carefully analyzes developments on the island and in the region, including Israel's activities in the Greek Cypriot Administration, and their possible effects, and stated that necessary military and political measures continue to be taken against any possible threat.
"ALL NECESSARY MEASURES ARE TAKEN IN A TIMELY AND COMPLETE MANNER"
Minister of National Defense Güler noted the following: "In this context, our military readiness to ensure the security of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is meticulously updated, with due care to preserving the delicate balances on the island. Turkey continues its activities in close coordination and dialogue with the Syrian administration within the framework of preserving Syria's territorial integrity and regional stability. Israel's approach aimed at escalating tension in southern Syria, in violation of the 1974 Agreement, and its unlawful actions are being closely monitored, and all necessary measures concerning our security are taken in a timely and complete manner."