Jordan on Monday sent two helicopters to Cyprus to help fight potential forest fires until the Mediterranean island nation can lease its own firefighting aircraft for the summer fire season. stationed there.
Cypriot Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said the Cypriot government considers firefighting and prevention to be a national security priority and is also moving to purchase 10 aircraft for this purpose.
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Panayiotou welcomed 18 Jordanian Air Force technical staff, crew and pilots who will “join us in aerial firefighting operations”. The Cyprus government will cover the costs through the dispatch of the Jordanian mission. It was unclear how long that would last.
The Cypriot flag flies in Nicosia, Cyprus on Saturday, October 1, 2022. (Photo by Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
The minister said the Jordanian crew will immediately undergo training to adapt to the local situation and be operationally ready within a few days.
The Jordanian helicopters will be on standby around the clock, augmented by at least three aircraft from the Cyprus Police and National Guard, including helicopters from the two military bases Britain maintains on the island.
Jordan’s deployment followed Cyprus’ proposal to establish a regional firefighting hub in Cyprus, from which aircraft and other technology could be sent to assist neighboring countries in fighting fires. Two years ago, Jordan’s King Abdullah II responded by offering to station firefighting aircraft in Cyprus during the summer fire season.
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Cyprus, Greece, Jordan and Israel have frequently supported each other in recent years by sending fire brigade, equipment and aircraft to help fight large wildfires.
