Cyprus is on standby to assist in the evacuation of Europeans and third-country nationals if conflict in the Middle East deepens, officials told Reuters on Thursday.
“We are ready, we have activated a specific plan, ESTIA, which has been tried and tested,” Cyprus’ deputy government spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou said.
“In the event we are asked to assist other countries who may be moving their nationals from the crisis area home, we are in a position to host them for a few days until they are repatriated.”
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaca will serve as a hub for coordinating and controlling any rescue operations and evacuations. On Thursday, August 8, tents were erected in the compound, with cots to be used to process any arrivals.
Israel’s antagonism with Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement have fanned fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
In 2006, Cyprus was a sanctuary for about 30,000 people who left Lebanon during a flare-up in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
Source: Reuters.
