Cyprus accuses Turkish forces of new violation of line of occupation

As ethnically split Cyprus’s rival leaders prepare to meet in hopes of finding a way to revitalize reunification talks, the country’s foreign ministry has said that Turkish forces in the breakaway north are throwing up new impediments for Greek Cypriots living in a village abutting a British military base.

The foreign ministry said Saturday that a new fence erected along a rural road in Strovilia blocks farmers from reaching their fields.

The ministry said the United Nations peacekeeping mission has noted the actions as breaching the area’s military status quo.

Turkey has kept 35,000 troops in the Turkish Cypriot north since 1974, when it invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

In 2000, Turkish forces had advanced their positions further into Strovilia.

[AP]