عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

US Ship Docks in Cyprus, Could Assist Civilians If Mideast Tensions Flare

A view of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) as it is docked in Limassol port, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, in Limassol, Cyprus, August 10, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) as it is docked in Limassol port, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, in Limassol, Cyprus, August 10, 2024. (Reuters)
TT
TT

US Ship Docks in Cyprus, Could Assist Civilians If Mideast Tensions Flare

A view of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) as it is docked in Limassol port, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, in Limassol, Cyprus, August 10, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) as it is docked in Limassol port, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, in Limassol, Cyprus, August 10, 2024. (Reuters)

A US amphibious assault ship has docked in Cyprus as part of a pre-arranged visit, but could be used to support civilians if hostilities flare in the Middle East, the US ambassador to Cyprus said.

EU member Cyprus has offered to assist, if needed, in the evacuation of Europeans and third-country nationals should tensions spill over in the Middle East amid a standoff between Israel, Iran and Iran-affiliated groups.

"The visit comes at a time when the United States continues all efforts along with key partners to de-escalate regional tensions and to be prepared to support civilians in crisis," US Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher said on X on Friday.

The USS Wasp arrived in the southern port of Limassol on Aug 8.

The eastern Mediterranean island says it is not involved in military operations or any conflict.

"Humanitarian assistance is what we do," said government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

Türkiye Suddenly Reinstates Access to Instagram

A woman holds a phone showing a message that reads 'Please wait while Turkish is being set up' after trying to access Instagram, in Istanbul, 03 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
A woman holds a phone showing a message that reads 'Please wait while Turkish is being set up' after trying to access Instagram, in Istanbul, 03 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
TT
TT

Türkiye Suddenly Reinstates Access to Instagram

A woman holds a phone showing a message that reads 'Please wait while Turkish is being set up' after trying to access Instagram, in Istanbul, 03 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
A woman holds a phone showing a message that reads 'Please wait while Turkish is being set up' after trying to access Instagram, in Istanbul, 03 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN

Türkiye reinstated access to Instagram on Saturday night, after more than a week of being blocked nationwide.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority barred access to Instagram on Aug. 2 without providing a specific reason.

A top Turkish official had accused Instagram of blocking condolence posts over the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Türkiye has denounced Israel's attacks on Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire and criticized what it calls unconditional support for Israel by the West.

Government officials later said the ban was imposed because the social media platform failed to abide by Turkish laws.

“In our talks with Instagram officials, we were assured our requests would be met, especially those regarding criminal activity, and given a promise that we would work together on a means of censoring users,” Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Türkiye's transportation and infrastructure minister wrote on the social media platform X Saturday.

Uraloglu elaborated in a video also posted on X, saying that the platform “was to establish compliance with Turkish law and that in instances where the law was violated, there would be quick and effective intervention.”

He added that all accounts owned by “terrorist” organizations would be banned and all content promoting such organizations would be removed, singling out the PKK, PYD and FETO.