UNFICYP officials meet Dhenia farmers over security in the buffer zone

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus and head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Hasim Dyan, held a meeting with the President of the Dhenia Community Council, Charalambos Alexandrou, and local farmers. The meeting, initiated by the local community, took place in Dhenia to address urgent security concerns ahead of the upcoming seasonal agricultural activities in the buffer zone.

During the discussions, attended by roughly 15 UNFICYP officials, local farmers and the community president urged the UN to increase its visibility and patrol frequency to deter violations by the Turkish side. In response, UN officials emphasized their operational limitations, explicitly stating that they cannot use force to intervene. While the UN side reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability and supporting farmers' safe access to their lands, the community leadership remains focused on obtaining a stronger, more visible presence on the ground to mitigate ongoing tensions.

The meeting provided an opportunity for an open exchange of views on access challenges. UNFICYP committed to exploring practical measures to support agricultural work, though no specific tactical changes were confirmed beyond the ongoing dialogue between the peacekeeping mission and the local community.