The Republic of Cyprus (ROC) has long been an ally of Israel, deepening defence ties since the 2010s through joint military exercises (e.g., Onisilos-Gideon), intelligence sharing, and reciprocal access to airspace and naval facilities. Notably, the ROC has allowed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to train in the Troodos Mountains (Agapinor-2022), a terrain resembling southern Lebanon, to simulate attacks on Lebanese soil - an exercise reflected in Israel’s recent attempted invasion. Additionally, Israeli forces have been granted access to Cypriot-controlled facilities to enforce their own security measures. This was evident when Israeli security agents were permitted to inspect the perimeter of Larnaca International Airport by land and sea, and even requested permission to station armed personnel at the control tower.

Further complicity is seen in the ROC’s recent purchase of the Israeli-made Barak MX anti-aircraft system, violating international law. As of September 18, Cyprus is obligated to impose a two-way military embargo, having voted in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution demanding sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.  

Beyond its cooperation with Israel, the ROC has also granted access to UK RAF assets, allowing military aircrafts, including the Shadow R1 spy plane, KC3 Voyager, military helicopters, and Typhoon fighter jets to use Cypriot-controlled airports. Similarly, under a recent five-year bilateral defence agreement with the U.S., Cyprus has permitted American warplanes to operate from its facilities with little transparency regarding their missions. Flight data indicates that U.S. military aircrafts, such as a C-17 departing from Paphos and C-40 Clippers from Larnaca, have traveled to Israel, while helicopters departing Larnaca have later appeared on flight radar emerging from Rafah, Gaza, with no disclosed purpose or cargo.  

Cypriot ports have also allowed U.S. and UK naval vessels involved in regional military operations to dock, raising concerns about potential contributions to war crimes.