Cyprus coordinates repatriation of citizens from conflict zones

The government of Cyprus has successfully repatriated 805 citizens from high-risk regions in the Middle East amidst regional airspace disruptions. The operation, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has utilized five evacuation flights to date, with the most recent arrivals including 145 and 148 passengers respectively. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and planning additional flights to ensure the safe return of all registered nationals. Beyond the primary state operation, 37 Turkish Cypriots also returned to the island via Larnaca airport on Thursday after being stranded in Dubai. Official sources report that approximately 36 additional Turkish Cypriots remain in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Lebanon, with local authorities pledging to cover their accommodation and travel expenses. The Cypriot government continues to urge all citizens abroad to register on the Connect2CY platform to facilitate ongoing emergency evacuation efforts.