Turkey will deploy six F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus, Turkish broadcaster NTV reported.

The deployment comes amid ongoing regional tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Northern Cyprus is a breakaway territory recognized only by Turkey, which has maintained a military presence there since 1974.

Turkey has approximately 35,000 troops stationed in northern Cyprus. The territory declared independence in 1983 but remains internationally unrecognized except by Ankara.

The F-16 deployment would represent an expansion of Turkey's military capabilities in the region. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey's military intervention in 1974 following a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece.

The Republic of Cyprus, which controls the southern part of the island, is a member of the European Union. The island's division remains one of the longest-running territorial disputes in the region.