Increased Turkish F-16 activity reported over Nicosia

On Tuesday morning, August 11, 2026, residents across Nicosia, including the areas of Aglandjia, Pallouriotissa, and Kaimakli, reported sightings and loud noises from Turkish F-16 fighter jets flying over the capital. The aircraft reportedly took off from the Tymbou airport in the northern part of the island, conducted maneuvers toward the Pentadaktylos range, and eventually returned to their base. While some reports from citizens mentioned sightings in other provinces like Larnaca, the defense ministry stated there were no confirmed Turkish flights in that specific area.

The recent increase in aerial activity follows a strategic shift in the region. On March 9, 2026, Turkey deployed six F-16 jets and air defense systems to the occupied north, a move made in response to Greece stationing four F-16s at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos on March 2. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that there has been an intensification of Turkish fighter jet activity within the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) in recent days, noting that such sorties have become significantly more frequent and visible to the public compared to past incidents.