Denia Village Leader Urges UNFICYP to Increase Presence Amid Buffer‑Zone Tensions

Denia community leader Charalambos Alexandrou met UNFICYP chief Khassim Diagne on Thursday and asked the peacekeeping force to become more visible in the area around his village. Alexandrou said the delegation had listened to farmers’ concerns but could not use force to deter Turkish‑Cypriot violations of the buffer zone. He urged UNFICYP to increase patrols, intervene in incidents, and stop acting merely as observers. Diagne explained that the force is understaffed and needs time to strengthen its presence. The request follows a series of clashes over farmland rights near Avlona and the erection of new buffer‑zone signs in March, part of UNFICYP’s effort to clarify boundaries and prevent accidental incursions.