The barbed Wire Nickname “Nouris Wire”
The barbed wire installed along Cyprus’ buffer zone near Akaki, Peristerona, and Astromeritis will be removed by the end of January 2025. This decision follows criticisms about its effectiveness and the challenges it created for local residents.
Initial Purpose of the Barbed Wire
The barbed wire was installed in spring 2022 under then-Interior Minister Nicos Nouris. It aimed to curb illegal immigration by deterring crossings from the Turkish-controlled north into the Republic of Cyprus.
Opposition from UNFICYP
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) opposed the barrier. They labelled it an unauthorized construction that impeded their operations. UNFICYP called for its removal.
Concerns of Local Communities
Local residents raised several concerns about the barbed wire:
Difficulty accessing farmland within the buffer zone.
Decreased property values.
Restrictions on new constructions.
Approximately 200 residents from affected villages protested by blocking roads.
Government Evaluation and Decision
By October 2024, the government acknowledged the barrier’s failure to achieve its intended purpose. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis announced plans to increase police patrols and install CCTV cameras along the Green Line after the barbed wire’s removal.
Plans for Removal
Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides confirmed the formation of technical teams to dismantle the barbed wire. Work will begin on January 9, 2025. The removed materials will be repurposed for National Guard use or other state needs.
Buffer Zone Remains Intact
The removal of the barbed wire does not affect the buffer zone itself. The buffer zone, also known as the “Green Line,” remains a demilitarized area patrolled by
UNFICYP. It separates the Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish-controlled north since the island’s division in 1974.
Purpose of the Buffer Zone
The buffer zone varies in width and includes both inhabited and abandoned areas. It serves as a significant feature of Cyprus’s landscape, maintaining its role in managing the complex dynamics between the divided communities.
Conclusion
The removal of the barbed wire addresses local grievances and UN objections. However, it does not alter the status or existence of the buffer zone. The Green Line will continue to be monitored through increased patrols and surveillance technology to manage security and migration effectively.
Summary
While the dismantling of the barbed wire resolves specific issues, the buffer zone remains a key element in Cyprus’s ongoing efforts to manage division and security.
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Migrants Stranded in the Buffer Zone: https://anatolikilemesou.com/?p=1530
Info Migrands in The Buffer Zone: https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/60916/europes-rights-watchdog-calls-on-cyprus-to-admit-migrants-trapped-in-un-buffer-zone
