CIA and Turkish intelligence plan secret air base in Cyprus

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is collaborating with the Turkish intelligence service (MIT) to establish a covert air presence in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with the aim of monitoring activities in the Middle East, reports the French portal Intelligence Online.

According to the portal's sources, the plan involves the purchase and modification of about 12 C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to be used without identification marks and for covert operations. The aircraft, purchased through intermediaries and shell companies, are expected to be stationed at the Geçitkale air base in Northern Cyprus — an area where Turkey already has a presence of Bayraktar TB2 drones to protect energy interests in the Mediterranean.

Sources point out that C-130s are well-suited for such operations due to their widespread use in both civil and military aviation, which helps conceal the origin of the mission. The modified fleet is expected to serve to transport specialized personnel, secure reconnaissance and communications equipment, as well as other covert operations related to information collection and aerial missions conducted by the CIA's Air Branch.

Analysts cited by Intelligence Online warn that such a base would create a permanent invisible presence of Western and Turkish actors in the Mediterranean, with a direct impact on monitoring countries like Lebanon and Syria — regions where security interests are high.

Neither the CIA nor MIT have officially commented on the report. Intelligence Online says the information was based on internal sources and intelligence operations documents, while the issue remains sensitive due to the nature of covert missions and diplomatic implications in the region.

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