KASTANIES, Greece – A strong presence of the security forces and the army at the Greek border appears has helped discourage attempts to illegally enter the country, which are markedly fewer than in the first days when refugees and migrants massed on the Turkish side of the border, sources said.

Their numbers were further reinforced on Sunday night when a C-130 military aircraft carrying security forces from Cyprus landed at Alexandroupolis’ ‘Dimokritos’ airport to assist in the guarding of the borders.

Cyprus announced it will send security forces to the Greek-Turkish land border to help protect it. Greek government spokesman Kyriakos Kousios said in a statement that the decision to send the force was announced by Cypriot President Nicos Anastassiades to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a telephone conversation the two had Sunday morning.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades spoke on the phone with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday, as he posted on Twitter, in order to inform him that Cyprus is ready to send security forces for the protection of Greek borders, that are also the borders of Europe.

Anastasiades added that his proposal has been accepted.

“The president’s proposal was gratefully accepted by Greece’s Prime Minister and, therefore, a force from Cyprus’ security forces will travel to Greece immediately to defend and guard Greece’s, and Europe’s, borders,” the Cyprus spokesman’s statement said.