Cyprus buffer zone sees increased military presence, UN says

The UN peacekeeping unit successful Cyprus reported accrued enactment Wednesday successful the buffer zone adjacent the mixed village of Pyla, saying it was responding to alleged violations and heightened subject movements successful the Turkish-occupied north.

The UN ngo said it observed the deployment of astir 15 tanks successful adjacent areas, the placement of a Turkish emblem astatine a constituent adjacent to the buffer zone, and the accomplishment of dozens of plainclothes personnel.

UN helicopters conducted patrols, and peacekeepers were reinforced arsenic they sought to forestall unauthorized introduction into the zone.

UNFICYP said immoderate unauthorized beingness oregon enactment successful the buffer zone constitutes a violation of its mandate and said it is successful interaction with each sides to reconstruct the status quo and support stability. The ngo urged calm and restraint.

UN officials besides said subject instrumentality referenced by different parties was located extracurricular the buffer zone. British basal constabulary were deployed successful adjacent areas to support monitoring and security.