In February 1978, a significant and unauthorized military intervention occurred at Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus. Egyptian forces, responding to a hijacking incident affecting a commercial flight, attempted to intervene directly without prior approval from the Republic of Cyprus authorities. This breach of sovereignty stirred immediate concern among Cypriot officials. When Egyptian commandos descended upon the scene, they quickly engaged in combat with the Cypriot National Guard and Police forces. What unfolded can be characterized as a chaotic firefight on the airport grounds. The clash resulted in heavy casualties, with 15 Egyptian commandos losing their lives. In a show of force, Cypriot forces also destroyed the Egyptian C-130 transport plane, further escalating the conflict and amplifying the stakes of what began as a hijacking incident.

The atmosphere surrounding this event was marked by high tension. The hijacking situation itself had already created a precarious situation, and the attempted military incursion by Egypt only complicated matters. Media coverage flew across the globe as the confrontation underscored the dangers present in managing international hijacking cases. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes at the airport as both sides engaged in an intense battle. The Egyptian government swiftly condemned the loss of life, while the Cypriot authorities defended their actions as necessary protectives of their national sovereignty.