Tensions erupt in UN buffer zone over road construction as workers confront UN peacekeepers

Tensions erupted in the buffer zone between north and south Cyprus on Friday after UN peacekeepers who tried to stop construction work on a road between Pile and Yiğitler were pushed back by workers.

Tensions escalated in the region as the United Nations Peacekeeping Force demanded the cessation of activities in the area and the withdrawal of equipment.

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) claimed that personnel from the Turkish Cypriot side assaulted peacekeepers and damaged UN vehicles.

According to Greek Cypriot media,12 UN peacekeepers were pushed back from their positions in the buffer zone. It adds that UN vehicles which were blocking access to the road were dragged out of the way by tractors, while other vehicles were rammed off the road. 

“Threats to the safety of UN peacekeepers and damage to UN property are unacceptable and constitute a serious crime under international law which will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” a statement issued by UNFICYP said.

“UNFICYP calls on the Turkish Cypriot side to respect the mission’s mandated authority inside the UN buffer zone, refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions further and withdraw all personnel and machinery from the UN buffer zone immediately,” it added.

The row began when the TRNC Foreign Minister announced on Thursday its intention to carry out improvements to the road between Pile and Yiğitler, opening it to the public.

It said that the project had been prepared for “purely humanitarian reasons, to facilitate the transportation of our citizens living in the village of Pile to TRNC territory”.

“Despite the constructive attitude of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the road project, which has been going on for more than 25 years, and all the calls it has made for this purpose, steps have not been taken to facilitate the daily lives of our citizens in Pile and our goodwill has not been reciprocated,” the statement had said.

Commenting on the issue, TRNC Foreign Minister, Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu stated that we are facing a conspiracy by portraying the Turkish Cypriot side as the culprit.

Currently, the only way to drive between the two villages is to drive through the British base in Dikelya and the village of Beyarmudu.

Following this announcement, UNFICYP said it was “concerned” by the plans and labelled them as “unauthorised”. They also called on the Turkish Cypriot authorities to “continue [negotiation] efforts before construction work commences”.

It was reported that work had commenced early on Thursday.

BRTK