From a strategic perspective, Cyprus’s location is crucial to the security of the Syrian homeland. The Syrian environment—of which Cyprus is a part—constitutes a unified geographic, agricultural, economic, and strategic entity. Safeguarding any part of this natural environment is essential for protecting the whole. According to Antun Saʿadeh, the country’s northern borders are as important to Syrians living in the south as the southern borders are to those in the north.[1] He emphasized that key border regions, such as the Zagros and Taurus Mountains and the Cilician Gates, must remain under Syrian control to prevent external incursions, colonization, and national humiliation. He stated:
Any military assault on the southern or northern strategic lines puts the whole of natural Syria on the brink of falling into the grip of the invading army… So, it is not possible to protect the integrity of the Syrian homeland except by classifying it as a belligerent unit within a strategic unit. Any army occupying any small area within the border lines of this strategic unity can be counted as occupying strategically the whole country.[2]
Furthermore, to protect the Syrian coastline from maritime invasions, Cyprus must be secured as an extension of Syrian territory in the sea.[3] The island is of vital strategic importance to Syria, acting as a defensive shield from the maritime front. If occupied by a foreign power, or if its airports and bases are used by “Israel,” this would constitute a serious threat to the entire nation. For this reason, the late Hezbollah Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, recently warned the Cypriot government that it would be considered a party to the conflict if it allowed “Israel” to use its ports and airports in the event of a war with Lebanon.
[1] The Ten lecture, op. cit., pp. 92 – 93.
[2] Ibid., pp. 92 – 93.
[3] Ibid., p. 93.
Related:
The Maronites of Cyprus Part 14
The Maronites of Cyprus Part 13
The Maronites of Cyprus part 12
The Phoenicians in Cyprus Part 10
Cyprus belongs to Syria The Archaeology of Cyprus Part 9
Cyprus belongs to Syria The Archaeology of Cyprus Part 8
Cyprus belongs to Syria The Archaeology of Cyprus Part 7
Cyprus belongs to Syria The Archaeology of Cyprus Part 6
The Fascinating History of Cyprus Part 5
Cyprus belongs to Syria – Cyprus and the City of Atlantis Part IV
Cyprus belongs to Syria Part III – Its Geology