Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that attacks on Muslim houses of worship in Cyprus would “not go unanswered” following reports of an attempted arson attack on a mosque in the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot southern part of the divided Mediterranean island.
Turkey’s pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper said at least one suspect was detained following an attempt on December 2 to set fire to the Great Mosque in the city of Larnaca. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
“Unfortunately, there was an (attack) against our mosques in southern Cyprus. Of course, this operation in southern Cyprus will not go unanswered, “Erdogan told reporters before leaving for Qatar on a two-day visit.
“This is what we say to South Cyprus: do not carry out such acts of sabotage against our houses of worship. The price it will have to pay for such acts of sabotage will be high, ”he said.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of the union with Greece. Turkey is the only nation that recognizes a separatist Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island and does not recognize Cyprus as a state.
A Cypriot police official said authorities arrested a 27-year-old Syrian in connection with the attack that caused some damage to the mosque’s wooden door before firefighters shut it down. He is facing one charge of attempted arson.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly, said the suspect’s motives are believed to stem from the imam rejecting his request to spend the night at the mosque.
A witness told police that the suspect used Greek-language newspapers as firewood to light the fire.
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