Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric mentioned in a press release issued on behalf of Secretary-Common António Guterres that a number of members of the UN Peacekeeping Drive in Cyprus (UNFICYP) had been injured whereas UN autos had additionally been broken contained in the buffer zone that divides the Turkish Cypriot north and Greek Cypriot south.
Safety Council mandate
Mr. Dujarric mentioned the peacekeepers had been stopping unauthorized development work within the Pyla/Pile space, “in accordance with their mandate” offered by the UN Safety Council.
In keeping with information reviews, Turkish Cypriot bulldozers moved in to clear UN autos, bollards and barbed wires positioned within the buffer zone, and three UNFICYP personnel required hospital therapy following the assault, together with one who had been kicked to the bottom.
UNFICYP additionally condemned the assault saying in a press release that threats to the protection of UN peacekeepers and harm to UN property have been “unacceptable and represent a severe crime underneath worldwide regulation, which can be prosecuted to the complete extent of the regulation.”
The Secretary-Common urged the Turkish Cypriot facet “to respect the authority of UNFICYP as mandated by the Safety Council and to withdraw all personnel and equipment from the UN buffer zone instantly.
‘Constructively re-engage’
He additionally referred to as on the Turkish Cypriot facet “to constructively re-engage with UNFICYP to discover a mutually agreeable method ahead within the Pyla/Pile space.”
The tensions outcome from a plan by Turkish Cypriot authorities to construct a brand new street which incorporates an space underneath UN management, in keeping with information reviews.
Since a de facto ceasefire between the 2 sides on the island in August 1974, UNFICYP has supervised ceasefire traces present humanitarian help and maintained the buffer zone between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot forces.
The Secretary-Common additionally reiterated his “long-standing name on the events to chorus from taking any unilateral actions that might elevate tensions and compromise discovering a mutually acceptable method ahead.”
