Following an arson attack on a mosque in Cyprus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that “attacks on Muslim houses of worship will not go unpunished.”
“Unfortunately, in southern Cyprus, there was a [attempt] against our mosques. “Of course, this operation in southern Cyprus will not go unanswered,” Erdogan told reporters on Monday before leaving for a two-day visit to Qatar.
Following an attempt to burn down the Grand Mosque in Larnaca on December 2, at least one suspect was caught, according to a local newspaper in Turkey. There were no injuries as a result of the incident.
“This is what we are telling southern Cyprus: do not carry out such acts of sabotage against our houses of worship. The price you will have to pay for such acts of sabotage will be heavy,” Erdogan said.
Following a coup by proponents of a union with Greece, Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, causing the island to split. Turkey is the only country that recognises a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the island’s north, although it does not recognise Cyprus as a state.
Turkey’s foreign ministry on Sunday said the incident “does not only target Muslims, but also threatens the common values of humanity, and reveals how certain circles are far from the understanding of peaceful coexistence”.
The incident was also condemned by Ersin Tatar, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic, who called on the Greek Cypriot administration to prevent any further attempts.
A 27-year-old Syrian man was arrested in connection with the attack, which caused some damage to the mosque’s wooden door before fire workers put it out, according to a Cypriot law enforcement officer. He is accused of attempting to set fire to a building.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly about the case, said the suspect’s motivations are thought to stem from the imam’s rejection of his desire to stay overnight at the mosque.
According to a witness, the suspect lit the fire with Greek-language newspapers as kindling.
