Turkey considering deployment of F-16s to Cyprus, ministry source says

An F-16 aircraft of the Turkish Stars aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force performs during Teknofest airshow over the city's new airport under construction in Istanbul, Turkey September 20, 2018. REUTERS/Osman Orsal/File Photo

ANKARA, ⁠March 7 (Reuters) - Turkey ⁠is considering the ‌deployment of F-16 aircraft to Cyprus, a ​Turkish defence ⁠ministry source ⁠said on Saturday.

The person ⁠said ‌such a move ⁠was one of the ​steps ‌being considered amid ⁠the ​phased planning underway to ensure ⁠the security of ​the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in ⁠the north of the island, as conflict spreads in ​the ⁠region.

(Reporting by Tuvan ​Gumrukcu; Writing ‌by Daren ​Butler; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)