Turkey says mosque attacks on Cyprus won't go 'unanswered'

Turkey says mosque attacks on Cyprus won't go 'unanswered'
Turkey's president warned on Monday that an attack on a mosque in southern Cyprus would "not go unanswered"
2 min read
06 December, 2021
Erdogan threatened that those behind such sabotage acts would pay a "heavy price" [Getty- file photo]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that attacks on Muslim houses of worship on Cyprus would "not go unanswered" following reports of an attempted arson attack on a mosque on the southern, internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot part of the divided Mediterranean island.

Turkey’s pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper said at least one suspect was detained following a December 2 attempt to burn the Grand Mosque in the city of Larnaca. No one was hurt in the incident.

"Unfortunately, there was an (attempt) against our mosques in southern Cyprus. Of course, this operation in southern Cyprus, will not go unanswered," Erdogan told reporters before departing for Qatar on a two-day visit.

"This is what we are telling southern Cyprus: do not carry out such acts of sabotage against our houses of worship. The price you will have to pay for such acts of sabotage will be heavy," he said.

Cyprus split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkey is the only nation to recognize a Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island and does not recognize Cyprus as a state.

Erdogan said Turkey was investigating who was behind the arson attempt.