Updates from Cyprus
Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of striking a civilian vessel under the flag of Liberia while it was entering the port of Odesa. A crew member was killed and three were injured in the attack, as well as an employee of the port, Ukraine’s army southern operational command said in a statement. The vessel was hit with an X-31 anti-radar missile, according to the Ukrainian military.
Source: EN – Anadolu Agency
Nicosia has expressed its hope that work in Pyla will resume as soon as possible, after the short pause requested by the United Nations yesterday. It also pointed out that provisions of the understanding between the Cyprus Republic and the UNFICYP are not amenable to any misinterpretation. Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis told the press that yesterday there was a reaction from the Turkish side in Pyla and this is part of its continuous efforts to challenge the status of the buffer zone. He reiterated that this was also one of the main reasons why we took the initiative to reach the common understanding. The Spokesperson said that we are in constant contact with the United Nations adding that they asked for a short break in work from all sides so that there can be a diplomatic way out, ‘a diplomatic solution’. He said that we expect that the UN will coordinate and implement the provisions of the understanding. In response to a question, Letymbotis said that the peacekeeping force has a certain mission in the buffer zone as it is described in the UN Security Council resolutions and oversees the work in Pyla from the beginning. “We believe that work will be able to resume as soon as possible,” he said. He recalled that the international community reacted when the incidents took place last summer and diplomatic efforts were underway on our side. Letymbiotis said that the consensus reached was described as a major confidence-building measure, because the regime in Pyla was at challenge by the Turkish occupying forces for years. He also said that we have the determination and political will to implement the provisions of the understanding and we are also ready to get back to the negotiating table. He called on the other side to do the same. Regarding the appointment of an UN envoy and in relation to the Turkish Cypriot leader’s comment on a six month time horizon for his appointment, the Government Spokesperson said that we have been informed through reports on his statements and in no way can we reach conclusions on what he meant. But he went on to say that no terms and timetables can be put into the mission of the envoy who will be charged with the task of exploring the prospects of resuming the peace talks from were they left off. He went on to say that what he can say is that “we hope that the envoy will not need six months, so that as soon as possible the negotiations can be resumed.” In another question about the terms of the mandate of the envoy and if this envoy will carry on after the talks have resumed, Letymbiotis said that this is an issue to be decided upon by the UNSG. In August 2023, the Turkish Cypriot side unilaterally announced its intention to build the road through the buffer zone between the villages of Pyla and occupied Arsos. Turkish Cypriots and settlers entered the buffer zone and attacked personnel and vehicles of UNFICYP. A peacekeeper was punched in the face. The international community, including five permanent members of the UN Security Council, condemned the attack. Later on, discussions began aiming at resolving the issue. According to an understanding that has been reached for Pyla, a single urban development area will be created, which will ensure the harmonious coexistence of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the area of Pyla and, will include, among other things, a large area of residential development, the paving of a road leading towards Troulloi village, the creation of photovoltaic parks and the expansion of the urban use area of the village. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Our governments should cooperate to protect media freedom, adapting to new realities and addressing new threats as they appear, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Tuesday. Ioannou was addressing a Democratic Quality Forum entitled “Democratic Quality: Challenges of Democracy in the 21st century”, at the “Circulo de Bellas Artes” cultural centre in Madrid. “The main concern of nations should be to understand the needs of civil society in this rapidly changing environment, promoting strong political competition and reducing the democratic deficit,” he said. In this context, he added, it is necessary “to continuously review and modernise electoral legislative framework as well as making the most of the possibilities offered by technology, always ensuring security in cyberspace and facilitating the participation of all citizens groups.” The aim, Ioannou noted, “should be stronger political parties, more representative electoral systems and fair election processes so that citizens can feel that their vote really counts and they and play an active role in politics.” Another necessary step, the Interior Minister said, is “promoting quality journalism and independent media.” “Citizens need free media to provide them with accurate information and substantiated analyses so that, among other things, they can determine if governments are acting in accordance with good governance rules and whether they are doing a good job or whether improvements must be made,” he added. In all places where journalists and news organisations are free to do their job independently and with safety, societies prosper and communities are in a position to recognise the problems that need to be addressed, he pointed out. Ioannou also referred to attacks against the human rights of journalists, noting that the view that murders happen only somewhere far away and they mainly concern war correspondents is not correct. According to him there are many examples that show that the lack of safety of the people who work in news and information “has no borders.” He also spoke of misinformation and propaganda which appear in social media and have become more targeted. “Our governments should cooperate to protect media freedom, adapting to new realities and addressing new threats as they appear,” he said. Establishing alliances and realistic strategies to enhance media independence, editorial freedom and strengthen pluralism is of vital importance for our democracy’s overall prosperity, he said. Ioannou further outlined the ongoing efforts in Cyprus to reform local administration, aiming to create stronger municipalities and community clusters, with administrative and financial independence in line with the guidelines of the European Map of Local Administration, with enhanced internal audit and transparency mechanisms, increased level of responsibilities and a greater participation of citizens in decision making.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The situation in the region was thoroughly discussed at the meeting of the President of the Republic of Cyprus with the US Secretary of State, who made an extraordinary visit to Cyprus as part of contacts in the region, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement on Sunday. According to the Spokesperson, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, had a meeting in the afternoon with the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. During the meeting, which took place at Larnaca airport, he said, ‘the situation in the area, as it is developing, was thoroughly discussed.’ He added that Blinken thanked the Republic of Cyprus ‘for the very important role it plays in the issue of the evacuation of nationals of various countries, including the USA.’ At the meeting, Letymbiotis said, the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus for a maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid from Cyprus, with Gaza as final destination, was also discussed in detail, while the need for an immediate de-escalation of the ongoing crisis was stressed. He added that the President of the Republic also briefed the US Secretary of State about the Republic of Cyprus’ ongoing efforts for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue from where they left off and the appointment of a UN Secretary General envoy towards this goal. Letymbiotis noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, also attended the meeting. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
A Turkish soldier who was wounded in an explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) in eastern Trkiye succumbed to his injuries, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Saturday.
The explosion of the IED planted by members of the ‘separatist terrorist group’ in the Baskale district of Van severely injured Samet Bektas, the ministry said in a statement.
Bektas was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he breathed his last, despite doctors’ best efforts.
The ministry extended its condolences to Bektas’s family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the entire nation.
The terrorists’ affiliation was not specified, but the ministry’s description of the group fit the PKK.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Trkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Turkish airstrikes on Saturday on PKK terrorist targets in northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, destroyed 15 targets thought to be housing terrorist ringleaders, according to the country’s National Defense Ministry.
Air operations were carried out in the Hakurk region to ‘eliminate terrorist attacks against Trkiye and security forces from northern Iraq by neutralizing members of the PKK/KCK terror group and other terrorist elements and to ensure border security in line with the self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter,’ the ministry said on Twitter.
A large number of terrorists were “neutralized” in the operations, during which indigenously produced munitions were used to the greatest degree, the ministry said.
Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Trkiye.
‘During this operation, every possible precaution was taken to safeguard innocent civilians, friendly elements, historical and cultural landmarks, and the environment from any harm,’ it added.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Trkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Trkiye on Saturday extended condolences to Nepal over deadly earthquake that left over 150 people dead.
‘We are deeply saddened by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the Jajarkot region of Nepal on Nov. 3, 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of many lives,’ the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry conveyed its condolences to the government and the people of Nepal and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
The death toll from an earthquake that hit Nepal late Friday night has risen to 157, with nearly 200 people injured, local police said Saturday.
The magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit western Nepal, sending tremors to even neighboring countries.
After the quake, strong tremors were felt in parts of northern India.
Source: Anadolu Agency
The Palestinian government on Saturday welcomed the decision by Trkiye to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
“We welcome the decision of the Turkish Republic to recall its ambassador in Israel as an expression of Trkiye’s position against the war on the Gaza Strip, its calls to stop war immediately, and its protest against the crimes committed against our people,” the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement received by Anadolu.
The statement said this position is an extension of Trkiye’s positions that support and protect the rights of the Palestinian people on all platforms.
It called the move a part of the political and diplomatic movement pushing for ending the war on the Gaza Strip and securing the basic humanitarian needs of the blockaded enclave.??????
The ministry also called on countries to take similar courageous positions and review their diplomatic relations with Israel.
In a Saturday statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: “In view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal of calls for a cease-fire and continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, it was decided to recall our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, H.E. Mr. Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, to Ankara for consultations.”
The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 9,488 Palestinians, including 3,900 children have been killed in Israeli attacks since then, while the Israeli death toll has topped 1,500, according to official figures.
Basic supplies are running low for the people of Gaza due to the Israeli siege, in addition to large numbers of casualties and displacements.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Trkiye has recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv for consultations amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
“In view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal of calls for a cease-fire and continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, it was decided to recall our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, H.E. Mr. Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, to Ankara for consultations,” the ministry said.
The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 9,488 Palestinians, including 3,900 children have been killed in Israeli attacks since then, while the Israeli death toll has topped 1,500, according to official figures.
Basic supplies are running low for Gazan people due to the Israeli siege, in addition to the large number of casualties and displacements.
Source: Anadolu Agency
After last month’s flare-up in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the process of exile and detention has begun for thousands of workers from Gaza who had work permits in Israel but are now being subjected to collective punishment, which is illegal under international law.
The work permits of all Gazan workers have been canceled by Israeli authorities.
Some of the workers took shelter in the occupied West Bank using their own means because they did not find Israel safe because of the threats against them and because they had no way to go to Gaza due to the war.
Thousands were first detained and imprisoned by Israeli forces in the places where they worked, and then sent back to Gaza.
Israel announced on Nov. 2 that the Palestinian workers in Israel would be sent back to Gaza.
“Israel is cutting off all contact with Gaza,” a statement from the Israeli Prime Ministry Press Office said, adding: “There will be no Palestinian workers from Gaza left in Israel, and the Gazan workers who were in Israel on the day the war started will be returned to Gaza.”
Following this decision, thousands of Gazan workers were sent to Gaza from the Kerem Shalom Border Gate in southern Israel.
However, it is not known whether there are any Gaza workers still in Israeli prisons.
When contacted by Anadolu, the Israeli Army press office and the Unit for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT), which is affiliated with the Israeli army, did not provide information about the detained Gazan workers.
Arrested Gaza workers stripped of their legal rights
Speaking to Anadolu on Friday, the Israeli human rights group Gisha and Palestinian officials stressed that Israel is imposing “collective punishment” on Gaza workers who had previously received work permits.
A written statement by Gisha, which works to defend the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gazans, said that these workers, who were in Israel during the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, have since been “unlawfully and secretly detained and arrested” by Israeli officials.
It said some of the thousands of Gazan workers were “held against their will, cut off from the world, and deprived of the right to due process” in Israeli military bases in the West Bank.
Gisha submitted a petition to Israeli authorities on the Gazans who entered Israel both as workers and with permission to receive medical treatment, it said.
‘Israel refused to disclose the names and whereabouts of these people it holds, as well as the legal grounds for detaining these people. We have reason to believe that the conditions of detention in these facilities are extremely harsh and that detainees are being subjected to intense physical violence and psychological abuse, as well as being held in inhumane conditions,” it said.
Shahir Saad, head of the Union of Palestinian Trade Unions, told Anadolu that many workers who worked in Israel have contacted them.
“They arrested some of these workers. The workers we spoke to said they were interrogated and asked whether they knew anyone from Palestinian resistance groups such as Hamas,’ he said.
He said many of these workers detained in Israeli prisons since Oct. 7 have been subjected to practices such as physical violence and being left naked.
“The Israeli occupation state punishes workers or civilians without discrimination,” he said.
‘As you know, under this occupation, there is no guarantee of life for not only the Palestinian people, but also for anyone, including journalists like you, who come to the West Bank,” he added.
“Because all this occupation regime does is oppress, punish, and violate the rights of the Palestinian people. What Gaza workers are subjected to is a complete collective punishment and is against all legal norms.”
Rami Mahdawi, spokesperson for the Palestinian Labor Ministry, also said the Gaza workers they reached had been interrogated, humiliated, tortured, and beaten by Israeli forces.
Stating that thousands of workers are believed to be under arrest in Israel, Mahdawi underlined that similar practices are also being carried out in the West Bank and also that dozens of workers were arrested in the West Bank city of Hebron.
5,850 Gazan workers stranded in West Bank
According to information obtained by Anadolu from the Palestinian Labor Ministry and the Union of Palestinian Trade Unions, there are 5,850 Gazan workers temporarily staying in facilities provided for them in various cities of the West Bank such as Ramallah, Jericho, Tulkarim, and Hebron.
Mahdawi said Israeli forces carry out daily raids and detentions in the West Bank and that thousands of Gazan workers stranded in the West Bank are also exposed to these dangers.
Turkish aid agency will provide aid to Gaza workers
Pointing out that the workers’ accommodation and needs are provided by the Palestinian Authority and non-governmental organizations, Mahdawi also said the Turkish state aid agency, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), will also provide assistance to those workers.
“We call on international organizations and human rights organizations, such as the International Labor Organization and the Red Cross, to first protect these workers and ensure their rights,” he said.
Source: Anadolu Agency