Cyprus National Guard, the island's armed forces, will carry out wide-scale military maneuvers next week throughout the government-controlled south, the army commander announced on Friday.
Lieutenant General Constantinos Bisbikas told a press conference that they would stage the annual military maneuvers, code-named "Nikiforos", between Oct. 9 and Oct. 14.
Formations and all groups of the National Guard will participate in the maneuvers as well as thousands of reservists and militia, he said.
Through the exercises, the officers and soldiers with their weaponry will be tested. There will be also defensive and offensive scenarios which are aimed at training the staff, the commander added.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek junta officers who pushed for union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey. Ankara maintains a military presence in northern Cyprus with some 40,000 troops.
Cyprus National Guard has about 10,000 Greek Cypriot soldiers but many of its senior officers are from Greece, apart from 1,250 Greek troops stationed in the south.
Source: Xinhua
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