The Cypriot government protested Thursday against multiple violations of the island's airspace by Turkish fighter jets taking part in Turkish Cypriot celebrations in the north to mark the 26th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of the island.
"Certainly we are going to protest these violations, which have increased in the last two days," a Defense Ministry source told AFP.
However, the ministry said none of the Turkish aircraft overflew government-controlled areas.
The government condemned the violations as an added provocation at a time when it said the Turkish side ought to be playing down such celebrations ahead of the next round of UN-sponsored proximity talks in Geneva next week.
According to a Defense Ministry announcement, a total of 10 US-made fighter aircraft -- five F-16s and five F-4 Phantom jets -- violated Cypriot airspace for over an hour Thursday.
The flights coincided with a massive military parade in the north to celebrate the anniversary of the invasion, which contrasted with solemn Greek Cypriot ceremonies mourning the estimated 5,000 who died.
This follows further violations on Wednesday by 11 Turkish jets -- one
F-16, one F-4 and nine F-5s -- which flew over the occupied north for about two hours.
The nine F-5 jets, which the announcement called demonstration aircraft, landed Wednesday at Lefkoniko airport and remained there a day later together with a transport plane.
Five Turkish warships docked at Kyrenia port also took part in Turkish Cypriot celebrations.
Greek Cypriots marked the anniversary of the Turkish invasion with the wailing of sirens at dawn and ringing church bells at noon in respect for the dead -- NICOSIA (AFP)
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