UNFICYP officials meet Dhenia farmers to address safety 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), Hadjime Diene, held a meeting in the village of Dhenia. The discussion, which included Dhenia community leader Charalambos Alexandrou and local farmers, focused on safety and access issues within the UN buffer zone ahead of the upcoming seasonal agricultural activities.

During the meeting, which was initiated by local representatives, farmers urged the UN mission to increase its presence and patrols in the area to deter violations by the Turkish side. Alexandrou reported that the UN delegation, consisting of approximately 15 officials, emphasized that they are limited in their operational mandate and cannot use force or take extreme measures. However, the mission reiterated its commitment to maintaining stability and creating conditions for safe agricultural work.

The meeting served as a forum for an exchange of concerns regarding daily challenges in the buffer zone. While the UN acknowledged the farmers' requests for a more visible presence, it maintained its existing posture regarding the limitations of its peacekeeping mandate. No specific timeline for new security measures was provided beyond the commitment to ongoing cooperation.