Cyprus: Occupation forces expel Greek-Cypriot farmer from the buffer zone
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
In another move that heightens tensions, occupation forces entered the buffer zone this morning in the area of Deneia, Cyprus, in order to expel a Greek-Cypriot farmer who had gone to cultivate his field. According to reports from Cyprus News Agency (ΚΥΠΕ), a Turkish military vehicle entered the buffer zone around 10 am and ordered the farmer to leave.
Shortly afterwards, personnel from the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) arrived at the scene and the farmer withdrew. The occupation force vehicle returned later together with UNFICYP members, and eventually all parties left the area.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus confirmed that the government has lodged démarches with UNFICYP requesting restoration of cultivators’ access and the prevention of any further violation of the buffer-zone regime. He stressed that the Turkish occupying army’s actions “with unacceptable manoeuvres” challenge the status of the buffer zone and violate international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
Meanwhile, the President of the Community Council of Deneia stated that by about 2:00 pm normality had been restored in the cease-fire zone. The government has reportedly conveyed assurances that a recurrence of the incident should not take place.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
