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Northern Cyprus explosion: 'Russian-made missile used to fend of Israeli air attack on Syria'
A suspected Russian-made missile has landed in Northern Cyprus, exploding in the air above a series of villages, according to officials.
It is thought the missile may be part of an air defence system fired from Syria in response to an air attack by Israel.
Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Kudret Ozersay said early analysis suggested it could a Russian-made S-200 anti aircraft missile after debris from the object came down on a mountainside north of the capital North Nicosia overnight.
Mr Ozersay said in a Facebook post: "The first assessment is that a Russian-made missile, part of the air defence system, which was part of the air defence system that took place last night in the face of an airstrike against Syria, completed its range and fell into our country after it missed.
"The explosion is thought to be before the impact, because there were no holes in the ground. The pieces that fell to several different points prove that the missile exploded in the air before it crashed."
AP reported that Israeli airstrikes were taking place against targets in Syria around 120 miles (200km) away at the time of the blast.
Reuters said Syrian military positions in Homs and the Damascus outskirts came under attack overnight, with at least four civilians said to have been killed and another 21 wounded.
If confirmed, it would be the first time the island of Cyprus has been caught up in the crossfire of the Syrian war.
A suspected Russian-made missile has landed in Northern Cyprus, exploding in the air above a series of villages, according to officials.
It is thought the missile may be part of an air defence system fired from Syria in response to an air attack by Israel.
Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Kudret Ozersay said early analysis suggested it could a Russian-made S-200 anti aircraft missile after debris from the object came down on a mountainside north of the capital North Nicosia overnight.
Mr Ozersay said in a Facebook post: "The first assessment is that a Russian-made missile, part of the air defence system, which was part of the air defence system that took place last night in the face of an airstrike against Syria, completed its range and fell into our country after it missed.
"The explosion is thought to be before the impact, because there were no holes in the ground. The pieces that fell to several different points prove that the missile exploded in the air before it crashed."
AP reported that Israeli airstrikes were taking place against targets in Syria around 120 miles (200km) away at the time of the blast.
Reuters said Syrian military positions in Homs and the Damascus outskirts came under attack overnight, with at least four civilians said to have been killed and another 21 wounded.
If confirmed, it would be the first time the island of Cyprus has been caught up in the crossfire of the Syrian war.
