Turkey has deployed six F-16s and air defence systems to the north in light of recent developments in the Middle East, the country’s defence ministry announced on Monday.

It added that measures would continue to be taken if necessary, depending on developments.

President Nikos Christodoulides said the F-16s deployed to the north were Turkey’s reaction to Europe’s message that Cyprus’ security was an EU matter.

“No matter what they do, what they bring to Cyprus – and may I remind you there is a significant number of occupation troops and equipment in the occupied areas – Turkey will not cease to be the occupation force in Cyprus,” Christodoulides pointed out.

Later in the day, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said he did not see the point of becoming involved in rhetoric surrounding the increased military presence on the island at a time when “the people and the region are exceptionally tense”.

His priority, he said, was the security of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots alike.

In a post on social media, Erhurman said Christodoulides “explained the deployment of numerous military assets by many countries to the south of the island as a ‘security necessity’, but he evaluated the deployment of six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems by the Turkish Republic to strengthen the security of the Turkish Cypriot people as a reaction against Europe”.

He added that the day would come when the developments on the island following the regional conflict would be discussed and then “we will remind everyone the statements and warnings we have been making for a long time”.

“Until then, our priority is the security of the whole of the island, not just the Turkish Cypriots, but the Greek Cypriots as well,” he said.