Joint Statement by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the Ministry of Defence and the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection regarding an incident in the maritime area between Cyprus and Syria
From:
Regarding information published in the media today concerning incidents in the maritime area between Cyprus and Syria, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus would like to clarify the following:
- On 9 and 10 May 2025, the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) received information indicating that a number of individuals in inflatable boats were in distress. The boats were sailing in the maritime area between Cyprus and Syria, within the Search and Rescue Region (SRR) and outside the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus.
- In both cases, the JRCC undertook all necessary actions, mobilising sea and air assets from the Port and Marine Police, the Police, and the Naval Command of the National Guard General Staff. These forces initially carried out search operations, followed by rescue operations for those on board the boats.
- Following coordination with the Syrian authorities, and always within the framework of the existing Search and Rescue Agreement between the two states, the rescued individuals were safely transferred to the nearest port, namely Tartus, Syria, where they disembarked.
The aforementioned search and rescue operation was conducted by the competent authorities with professionalism, with the primary concern being the protection of human lives, hence the safe return of the boats to the nearest port.
The Republic of Cyprus continues to take all appropriate actions within the framework of legality, whenever it receives distress calls or messages concerning search and rescue incidents.
At the same time, the Government and the competent Ministries remain committed to combat organised crime networks operating in the region. Smuggling rings exploit the general political situation and falsely promise people a better life by encouraging them to abuse the asylum application process, while also endangering their lives by putting them on unseaworthy vessels.
The Republic of Cyprus remains in constant coordination with all international partners to combat these illegal practices.
(AN/NZ/GS)
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