Hezbollah’s Threat to Cyprus Escalating Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean

Threat

Hezbollah’s Threat to Cyprus Amidst Rising Tensions with Israel

CNN — In a heated speech, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah recently issued a warning to Cyprus, stating that the small Mediterranean island could be targeted if it aids Israel in a potential war between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.

Nasrallah’s declaration came shortly after Israel cautioned that the likelihood of “all-out war” in Lebanon was increasing. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides quickly denied any involvement in the conflict, emphasizing that Cyprus is not part of any military operations against Lebanon.

“The statements are not pleasant, but they do not correspond in any way to what is being attempted, to present an image that Cyprus is involved in the war operations. In no way whatsoever,” Christodoulides said.

EU and Neighboring Support

The European Union swiftly defended Cyprus, with EU spokesperson Peter Stano stating that any threat against an EU member state is a threat against the EU as a whole. Greece also expressed solidarity with Cyprus, condemning Hezbollah’s threats as a violation of the United Nations Charter.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reassured his Cypriot counterpart of Lebanon’s commitment to stability in the region.

Cyprus: A Geopolitical Hotspot

Situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus finds itself on a geopolitical fault line between the Middle East and Southern Europe. The island is divided into the Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-speaking Northern Cyprus. International recognition is largely limited to the Greek part, which Nasrallah targeted in his threats.

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Despite historical tensions, Cyprus has developed closer ties with Israel, particularly through military cooperation and joint exercises. Israeli forces have trained on Cypriot territory, which has terrain similar to Lebanon’s, in preparation for potential conflicts with Hezbollah.

Cyprus’s Humanitarian Efforts

Cyprus has been proactive in humanitarian efforts, facilitating aid to Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. President Christodoulides highlighted Cyprus’s role in establishing humanitarian corridors and criticized Israel for actions that impeded aid delivery.

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The island has a history of being caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts, including a 2019 incident where a suspected Russian-made missile linked to Syrian operations exploded in Northern Cyprus.

Potential Consequences of Escalation

Experts suggest that an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah remains unlikely, as both sides are aware of the devastating consequences. Hezbollah’s recent release of drone footage of Israeli sites is seen as a deterrent rather than a prelude to war.

“Hezbollah knows that war with Israel would be devastating for Lebanon and that there is no popular appetite for such a scenario in the country,” said Lina Khatib of Chatham House.

The Biden administration is also expected to intervene to prevent a two-front war involving Israel, which could draw in additional Iran-backed actors and potentially Iran itself.

While the situation remains tense, the broader implications of involving an EU country in the Gaza conflict highlight the fragile nature of regional alliances and the potential for wider geopolitical repercussions.

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