Cyprus FM Rejects Turkish Claims of ‘Anti-Islamic’ Military Axis with Israel

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has launched a strong diplomatic rebuttal against assertions made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who recently alleged that Cyprus, Greece, and Israel have formed a military alliance targeting Muslim nations in the region.

​Diplomatic Counter-Offensive

In a strategic response, the Cypriot Foreign Ministry released a video on Monday documenting Kombos’ extensive diplomatic engagements with the Arab world. The footage highlighted high-level meetings with officials from Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Qatar, as well as representatives from the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The ministry argued that these deep-rooted ties with Islamic nations directly contradict Ankara's narrative of an "anti-Islamic" alignment.

​Ankara’s Accusations

The tension escalated following Fidan’s comments at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, where he claimed that the trilateral cooperation between Athens, Nicosia, and Jerusalem was an "operation aimed at encircling Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean." Fidan questioned the strategic logic of the partnership, suggesting that Israel was attempting to designate Turkey as a "new adversary" to justify its regional survival.

​Nicosia Points to Occupation

The Cypriot Foreign Ministry firmly rejected Fidan's claims, pivoting the focus back to the "continued illegal occupation of Cyprus." A ministry statement asserted that "it is Turkey itself that illegally occupies sovereign European territory, with tens of thousands of soldiers in an offensive posture," rather than Cyprus pursuing aggressive alliances.

​Greece Stands Independent

The Hellenic Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, clarifying that Greece "shapes its foreign policy independently" and owes no explanations to third parties. Athens emphasized that its regional partnerships are strictly peaceful, aimed at stability, and aligned with its roles in the EU, NATO, and the UN Security Council.

​As regional volatility continues—highlighted by recent Israeli operations in Lebanon and Syria—Nicosia remains committed to its role as a bridge between the European Union and the Middle East, maintaining that its security cooperation is defensive and inclusive of its Arab neighbors.