UNFICYP denies removal of Force Commander amid misconduct allegations

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has officially refuted media reports claiming that its Force Commander, Lieutenant General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam, has been removed from his post. The reports, originating from Northeast News on September 9, alleged that the commander was withdrawn from his mission following formal complaints regarding his conduct toward his aide-de-camp and another officer. It was suggested that these complaints had been submitted to relevant medical or psychiatric services within the UN.

According to the original allegations, Lieutenant General Minhazul Alam returned to Bangladesh on September 4 via a commercial flight from Cyprus. While his departure was initially presented as a three-day personal leave, the reports claimed this evolved into a permanent withdrawal from the peacekeeping mission.

UNFICYP spokesperson Aleem Siddique issued a formal statement on September 10, categorizing the reports as mere speculation. He explicitly clarified that Lieutenant General Minhazul Alam remains the Force Commander and continues to fulfill his official duties and responsibilities in Cyprus without interruption. No further disciplinary actions or investigations were confirmed by the mission at this time.