As the hunting season starts on November 5, UNFICYP reminds hunters that hunting in the buffer zone is strictly prohibited.
According to a relevant announcement, entering the buffer zone area in order to perform any kind of hunting activities “runs the risk of drawing fire from either of the opposing forces, and is therefore dangerous and irresponsible”.
It is added that hunters wearing camouflage outfits or carrying weapons are easily mistaken for soldiers. Firing guns in the area between the ceasefire lines causes tension since soldiers on duty cannot immediately determine where the shots have come from and may feel obliged to react, UNFICYP notes.
According to the announcement, in the past, some hunters with loaded weapons have proved to be a hazard to each other, to members of the nearby villages and to UNFICYP patrols in the buffer zone.
Those found to be endangering or demonstrating aggressive behaviour against United Nations peacekeepers and others will be immediately reported to the competent police and judiciary authorities in view of prompt and proper prosecution in accordance with the law, the announcement concludes.