Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, threatened Cyprus on Wednesday, signaling the potential for an expanded conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean if war breaks out between Israel and Lebanon. Nasrallah warned that Cyprus, an EU member state and close ally of Israel, could be targeted if it allows Israeli forces to use its airports and bases.
In a televised address, Nasrallah stated, “Opening Cypriot airports and bases to the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon would mean that the Cypriot government is part of the war, and the resistance will deal with it as part of the war.” This marked the first time Hezbollah has explicitly threatened Cyprus, raising concerns about regional stability.
The Hezbollah leader boasted of the group’s capabilities, claiming that “nowhere in Israel would be safe” if a full-scale war erupted. He also highlighted Hezbollah’s ability to strike targets across Israel and the Mediterranean.
Gabriel Haritos, an expert on Cypriot-Israeli relations, stated, “Hezbollah is not far away at all. If they can target the outskirts of Tel Aviv, then they can hit Cyprus. It’s not something that can be excluded.” The potential involvement of Cyprus in the conflict has raised alarms, particularly given its strategic alliance with Israel and the United States.
Cyprus has emerged as a crucial ally for Israel, participating in joint military exercises and serving as a hub for U.S. special forces. The island nation has also positioned itself as a staging ground for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Despite Nasrallah’s threats, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides maintained that Cyprus is not involved in the conflict, stating, “The Republic of Cyprus is not part of the problem. The Republic of Cyprus is part of the solution.”
Nasrallah’s threats are seen as a reaction to the deepening strategic cooperation between Israel and Cyprus, which includes military drills and energy cooperation. This partnership has been a point of frustration for Hezbollah, especially as Cyprus has aligned more closely with Western interests in recent years.
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