Turkish Ship Fires Warning Shots at Cypriot Coast Guard

A Turkish ship fired warning shots against a Cypriot Coast Guard, media agencies reported on Friday.

Ekaththimerini indicated that the Cypriot vessel was harassed by the Turkish one forcing the Cypriot to unite to enter Kato Pyrgos port.

Cypriot Police Spokesperson Christos Andreou told Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the incident took place at 3:30 am during a daily mission by the marine unite for checking the flow of illegal migrants near Kato Pyrgos.

He said: “The patrol boat’s three-member crew seeing the intentions of the Turkish coast guard tried to avoid any incident and headed toward the fishing shelter at Kato Pyrgos."

“At a distance of four nautical miles from the shelter, the marine police boat received warning shots from the Turkish coast guard. Then, being a short distance from the shores, the Turkish coast guard left for the occupied territories." he continued.

The incident came at a critical time as the tensions between Cyprus and Turkey are increasing due to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans to visit the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.