According to media reports, drunken British soldiers from the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) destroyed two jet skis in the Turkish-controlled north of the divided Mediterranean island. UNFICYP is investigating the incident, a spokesman told AFP on Monday. According to Turkish Cypriot media, the two Britons were drunk driving two rented jet skis in the seaside town of Famagusta last week, which then sank.
According to the daily newspaper “Yeniduzen”, the jet ski rental company suffered a damage of about 13,000 euros. The two soldiers refused to provide their personal details and pay for the damage. Instead, they drove off in a car and damaged the jet ski rental company’s car. All peacekeepers must “maintain the highest standards of conduct at all times” and will be “held accountable for their conduct,” the UNFICYP spokesman said.
800 soldiers guard armistice
UNFICYP, in which Austria was involved for 37 years until 2001, is one of the oldest UN peacekeeping missions in the world. The approximately 800 soldiers guard a 180-kilometer armistice line between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parts of the Mediterranean island. Cyprus has been divided since a Greek Cypriot coup d’état and subsequent Turkish military intervention in 1974. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
