The Israeli mission to Cyprus includes two ‘Air-Tractor’ firefighting aircraft, a crew of four pilots, a trained ground crew, wildfire experts, and equipment including approximately six tons of Israel Fire and Rescue Service flame retardants.

An Israeli emergency mission took off Monday for Cyprus to help the country fight massive fire that broke out in the mountains areas of Limassol. This follows a request for immediate assistance from Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu based on the strong bilateral partnership.

Crews and equipment were transported by a Super Hercules (‘Shimshon’) aircraft. The mission includes two ‘Air-Tractor’ firefighting aircraft, a crew of four pilots, a trained ground crew, wildfire experts, and equipment including approximately six tons flame retardants.

The mission, under the command of Snir Shafir, includes two ‘Air-Tractor’ firefighting aircraft, a crew of four pilots, a trained ground crew, wildfire experts, and equipment including approximately six tons of Israel Fire and Rescue Service flame retardants. The aircraft and the crews are due to depart this afternoon and join the ongoing firefighting operation, barring any change in the situation. It should be noted that approximately two weeks ago, a mission returned from Operation Firebirds, in which Israel assisted Greece in extinguishing huge wildfires in several regions.

The wildfires, due to the extreme weather, which includes a heat wave, strong winds and high temperatures, are threating local communities and natural habitats.

Cyprus on Sunday activated the EU Protection Mechanism. The European Commission reported on Monday that it was mobilising two Canadair firefighting airplanes from the EU’s Civil Protection Pool stationed in Greece. Greece is also sending 20 tonnes of liquid retardant via the Mechanism.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič thanked Greece for its immediate emergency assistance to wildfires in Cyprus. “This is EU solidarity at its best.”

The Brussels Times contributed to this report.