British UN peacekeepers attacked by Turkish Cypriots for stopping unauthorised road build in Cyprus buffer zone
Four UN peacekeepers, including three British soldiers and one Slovak, who were taken to hospital after being attacked by Turkish Cypriots on Friday, have all now been discharged.
They were assaulted by Turkish Cypriot forces as they tried to stop the construction of an unauthorised road from the north into the UN-delineated buffer zone, the UN said.
Work crews were building a road to connect the village of Arsos, in the Turkish Cypriot north, with the mixed Greek Cypriot-Turkish Cypriot village of Pyla, inside the buffer zone.
The violence constitutes a serious escalation of tensions not seen on the island in years.
In a statement, the UN said: "We condemn the assaults against UN peacekeepers and damage to UN vehicles by personnel of the Turkish Cypriot side.
"Threats to the safety of UN peacekeepers and damage to UN property constitute a serious crime under international law."
Friday's incident was condemned by the US, UK and France, three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
A video posted by the Greek City Times shows a bulldozer pushing UN vehicles near the village of Pyla.
Maintaining the status quo of the buffer zone has been enshrined in the UN mission's mandate since 1974.
It was formed after Turkey invaded to stop a Greek military attempt to unite the island with Greece.
Cyprus has been divided ever since by the buffer zone, which is policed by UN peacekeeping forces, including British troops.
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