Turkish Erdogan says attacks on Cyprus mosque will not go unanswered Recep Tayyip Erdogan News

The Turkish leader has called on the Cypriot authorities to prepare houses for worship or to prepare to “pay for such actions.”

Attacks on Muslim worship in Cyprus “will not go unanswered,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a fire broke out in a mosque.

“It simply came to our notice then [attempt] Against our mosques in southern Cyprus. Of course, this operation in southern Cyprus will not go unanswered, ”Erdogan told reporters on a two-day visit to Qatar on Monday.

The Turkish daily Sabah reported that at least one suspect had been arrested on December 2 after an attempt to burn down the Grand Mosque in the city of Larnaca. No one was injured in the incident.

“We are telling South Cyprus not to do such a sabotage against our houses of worship. The price you pay for such acts of sabotage will be heavy, ”Erdogan said.

Cyprus split In 1974, when it was invaded by Turkey, the supporters of the union with Greece were hit by a coup. Turkey is the only nation in the north of the island that has recognized a refugee state in Turkish Cyprus and does not recognize Cyprus as a state.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the incident “threatens not only Muslims but also the common values ​​of humanity, and reveals how far certain circles are from understanding peaceful coexistence.”

The leader of the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, also denounced the attack and called on the Greek Cypriot administration to prevent future attempts.

A Cypriot police official said authorities had arrested a 27-year-old Syrian man in connection with the attack, which damaged the wooden door of the mosque before it was extinguished by firefighters. He reported a firearm attempt.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to discuss the case publicly, said the suspect’s motive was that he believed the imam had refused his request to sleep in the mosque.

A witness told police that the suspect used Greek newspapers to light the fire.