Multinational force fights stubborn wildfire in Cyprus

Two helicopters operate over a fire in Apesia, a semi-mountainous village near Limassol, south-western Cyprus (Philippos Christou/AP)

A multinational force is helping Cyprus fight stubborn wildfires in the summer heat, with Israel joining Lebanon, Greece and Jordan in sending aircraft to fight a blaze that has scorched miles of mountainous terrain, officials said.

Israel said two “Air-Tractor” firefighting aircraft, ground crews and wildfire experts were on their way to the island nation.