UNSC Condemns Turkey's Varosha Partial Opening

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned on Friday Turkey and Turkish Cypriots' plan to partially open Varosha, and it called for an immediate reversal of the decision.

The UNSC said in a statement: "The Security Council calls for the immediate reversal of this course of action and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020."

Turkish Cypriots announced previously that the Varosha area is no longer a military zone, and it will be under civilian control and be open.

This step taken by the Turkish Cypriots who are backed by Ankara could worsen the unsolved Cyprus crisis, in addition, it could cause more tensions.

"The Security Council underscores the need to avoid any further unilateral actions not in accordance with its resolutions and that could raise tensions on the island and harm prospects for a settlement," it added in the statement.

Varosha is considered a military zone that belongs to the Greek Cypriots, so this move could trigger concerns over transforming it to the Turkish-occupied region of the island.