The deployment of Turkish F-16 fighter jets to the occupied northern part of Cyprus has sparked fresh reactions in the US Congress, with two more members of the House of Representatives publicly condemning Turkey’s move.

Ankara went from leaks to official confirmation and announced that as of today, six F-16 fighters have been deployed to the Occupied Territories along with air defense systems, citing developments in the region and the need, as it says, to strengthen the security of the pseudo-state.

An alert was sounded in Cyprus as a possible suspicious object was detected in the airspace near Lebanon, as reported by the Government Spokesperson. “For precautionary reasons, all appropriate measures were taken by the competent authorities to investigate and, if necessary, deal with the incident. Further information will follow on the outcome,” he adds.

According to philenews, Greek F-16s took off to intercept the suspicious object. At the American embassy in Nicosia, the staff was taken to the basement as a precaution.

The alert was sounded shortly after 9:30 in the morning and ended half an hour later.