Turkey has decided to deploy six F-16 combat aircraft to northern Cyprus. The planes are to arrive at Ercan Airport on Monday morning, and the decision was made against the backdrop of heightened security tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The number of aircraft was increased at the last moment - four were initially planned, but six were ultimately confirmed. A representative of the Turkish Cypriot aviation authorities confirmed that "the aircraft will arrive in the early morning hours."

Turkey's Ministry of Defence justified the deployment as needed "to support the security of the Turkish Cypriot community" amid regional conflict. Cyprus had previously been attacked multiple times by drones originating from Lebanon.

Turkey is not alone - Greece and several European forces are also deploying military assets to Cyprus, making the island an increasingly significant hub of military activity in the region.

The escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean is a direct consequence of the broader conflict in the Middle East, which continues to destabilise regional security balances and draw military deployments to neighbouring countries.