| December 2023 Cyprus terror plot | |
|---|---|
| Part of Iran–Israel proxy conflict | |
| Operation Name | December 2023 Cyprus terror plot |
| part of | Iran–Israel proxy conflict |
| Roster | |
| Initiated by | Cyprus Intelligence Service Mossad Cyprus Police |
| Executed by | Cyprus Police |
| Countries Participated | Cyprus Israel |
| # of Countries Participated | 2 |
| Mission | |
| Target | Quds Force operatives |
| Objective | Disruption to a possible terrorist attack/ assassination of Israeli targets in Cyprus |
| Timeline | |
| Date begin | Unknown |
| Date executed | 10 December 2023 |
| Results | |
| Suspects | 2 |
| Arrests | 2 |
| Accounting | |
On December 10, 2023, Cyprus Police, after a surveillance operation in co-ordination with the Cypriot Intelligence Service and information from Mossad, arrested two operatives of the Iranian quds force who were surveilling Israeli targets for a possible attack.[1]
As a result of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, the threat against Israelis abroad has increased and Cyprus had been a target of previous attempts of Iranian backed attempts on Israeli interests on the island, all of which have been thwarted by local authorities.[2][3] Since the Ayatollah took over in Iran, the Iranian government has been trying to undermine the Israeli security apparatus via assassination attempts, terrorist attacks, funding proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah and trying to acquire nuclear weapons.[4][5]
The two suspects came to the island from Turkey and occupied northern Cyprus and staged their surveillance operation from there, due to the fact that the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effecitive control of the occupied areas an Turkey's growing distance stance from the state of Israel and support of Hamas.[6][7][8][9] Cypriot Intelligence began surveilling the suspects a few months prior to their arrest and with information from the CIA and Mossad.[10][11]
The two suspects were arrested in Cyprus in November of 2023 after weeks of surveillance and in time to disrupt the attacks that would have taken place, primarily on Israeli businessmen.[12] One of the suspects, belonged to Unit 400 of the quds force which is an Iranian elite special operations unit.[13][14]
Two Iranians suspected of planning to perpetrate terrorist attacks against Israelis in Cyprus were arrested by local authorities on Sunday. The Israeli authorities confirmed the news, adding the Mossad security agency was instrumental in foiling the terrorist plot.
In June, Mossad said it had detained an Iranian planning a terrorist attack against Israeli targets on the island.
In the past, Iran has largely attacked Israel through partners and proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Iran has been using Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus as a staging ground for terrorist attacks against Israelis and Jews, Mossad said on December 10.
"No one can make us qualify Hamas as a terrorist organization," he said in a speech in Istanbul. "Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them."
Οι κρατικές υπηρεσίες πληροφοριών της Κύπρου παρακολουθούσαν από κοντά τις κινήσεις των δύο Ιρανών τους τελευταίους δύο μήνες και κατάφεραν να αποτρέψουν εγκαίρως πιθανές τρομοκρατικές ενέργειες. Για την δράση της ΚΥΠ έκανε συγκεκριμένη αναφορά και η Μοσάντ...[The Cypriot state intelligence services closely surveilled the movements of the two Iranians the last two months and they managed to prevent early possible terrorist incidents. For the role of KYP, Mossad made a specific statement...]
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Attacks launched by Palestinians from the West Bank Attacks launched by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip Attacks launched from Egypt Attacks carried out by Arab citizens of Israel
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