Turkey has issued a stern warning that Cyprus’s acquisition of an advanced Israeli-made air defense system threatens to upset the "fragile balance" on the divided island and could lead to "dangerous consequences," according to officials from the Turkish Defense Ministry.

The comments, reported by the Associated Press, directly criticize the Cypriot government's purchase of the Barak MX system from Israel. Turkey, which recognizes the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, views the military upgrade in the Greek Cypriot south as a significant security concern.

While Cypriot officials declined to respond officially to the Turkish criticism, one source私下里 offered a sharp rebuttal. Speaking to The Press Service of Israel, the unnamed official suggested Ankara’s protests are a strategic maneuver to stir tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean for political gain.

The Cypriot source further claimed that Turkey is "furious" over the strengthening military and diplomatic ties between Israel and Cyprus and is being "encouraged by the United States" in its regional policy.

The exchange highlights the ongoing and deep-seated tensions between the two nations. Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup aimed at union with Greece. The Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, governs the southern two-thirds of the island, while the northern third is under Turkish control.

The Barak MX system is a sophisticated multi-tiered air and missile defense shield capable of intercepting everything from drones and jets to ballistic missiles, significantly boosting Cyprus's defensive capabilities.