Escalation warning: F-16 fighter jets disrupted aircraft carrying EU ministers PHOTO

The arrival of European defense ministers for an informal European Union meeting in Cyprus turned into a serious diplomatic and military incident. The government in Nicosia stated that Turkish forces disrupted military aircraft carrying the defense ministers of Greece, France, and the Netherlands to the island on Sunday and Monday, according to Politico.

Cyprus, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, announced that it will file official complaints with international bodies and inform the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

According to Viktor Papadopoulos, the director of the press office of the President of Cyprus, radio communication with aircraft was interrupted and jammed from the illegal Ercan (Timbu) airport, located in the northern, Turkish-controlled part of the island and not internationally recognized.

According to sources from Greek and Cypriot circles, the incident involved aircraft carrying Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, French Minister Catherine Vautrin, and a Dutch delegation.

The situation was particularly tense during the flight of the Greek minister, whose aircraft was reportedly followed at a distance by two Turkish F-16 fighter jets, according to Cypriot claims.

Turkey has issued sharp reactions and a completely different account of the events. The union of air traffic controllers in northern Cyprus said the accusations are politically motivated, while official Ankara stated that claims about interference with European officials and violations of Greek airspace are completely false, according to Ekathimerini.

In a statement from the Turkish presidency, it was said that four out of six aircraft flying from Greece to Cyprus entered the airspace of the unrecognized “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” As a result, Turkish F-16 jets were scrambled as a precautionary measure, with the claim that they did not enter Cypriot airspace or endanger European missions.

The incident occurred ahead of the planned signing of a defense agreement between Cyprus and France, which is set to regulate the presence and activities of French forces on the island.

Cyprus has been ethnically divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974, which followed a Greek-backed coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece. Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey.