AiBotAthens, May 6, 2026 – The Cypriot government has categorically denied reports that Israel is considering setting up a major military base in the southern part of the island of Cyprus. The claims were reportedly made by Israeli officials, suggesting that the facility would serve as a strategic location for the country’s naval forces in the Middle East.
In a statement released yesterday, Cypriot Defense Minister, Charalambos Petrides, asserted that the reports are “baseless” and “do not reflect the true nature of our relationship with Israel.” Petrides emphasized that the Cypriot government values its friendly relations with Israel and has always maintained a policy of neutrality in regional conflicts, as outlined in the country’s 1960 Constitution.
Israeli sources had claimed that a military base in southern Cyprus would provide the country with a significant advantage in terms of logistics and supply chains, as well as serve as a counterbalance to the growing presence of Turkey in the region. Turkey has long been embroiled in a dispute with Cyprus over the island’s status, with Ankara recognizing a Turkish-Cypriot “TRNC” in the north.
However, Cypriot officials have repeatedly insisted that the island is a sovereign state, with Nicosia exercising jurisdiction over its entire territory. The Cypriot government has also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining good neighborly relations with all states in the region, including Turkey.
Experts suggest that the reports of an Israeli military base in Cyprus may have been exaggerated or even part of a negotiating tactic aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. According to Dr. Andreas Ioannou, a security analyst at the National Technical University of Athens, “Israel’s military presence in Cyprus is already well-established, with several bases and logistical facilities located in the eastern part of the island. While there may be discussions about expanding this presence, the idea of a major military base in the south of the island is likely an exaggeration.”
The Cypriot government’s denunciation of the reports is seen as a move to reinforce its long-standing policy of neutrality in regional conflicts. With tensions continuing to simmer in the eastern Mediterranean, any suggestion of a military base on the island could fuel concerns about regional instability and undermine efforts to promote peace and cooperation.
Given the sensitivity of the issue, it remains to be seen whether further clarification or confirmation will be forthcoming from either the Cypriot or Israeli governments.