Residents of the Bulgarian village of Bezmer have launched a petition opposing the deployment of American KC-135 tanker aircraft at the nearby military airbase, saying they fear the move could make the region a potential target because of tensions surrounding Iran.
The initiative was announced by Bezmer Mayor Rosen Rusev, who said support is already spreading to neighboring villages in Tundzha Municipality and across the Yambol region. The campaign follows the approval by Bulgaria's Parliament and government of a U.S. request to station up to eight American tanker aircraft and up to 250 military personnel at the Bezmer Air Base.
Local residents say their main concern is that the aircraft could be used for logistical missions connected to the conflict involving Iran, increasing security risks for nearby communities. "People in the village are worried because there are no clear guarantees for the security of the settlement itself," Rusev said. "We hear that Iranian missiles can reach a target within minutes, and we do not know what system could intercept them because Bulgaria does not have modernized equipment capable of stopping such missiles."
The petition has already been joined by the mayors and residents of Kozarevo, Malomir, Bolyarsko and other nearby villages. Signature sheets have been placed in municipal offices, shops and other public locations, with organizers planning to collect signatures until Friday. The document is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly, the regional governor of Yambol, the mayor of Tundzha Municipality and Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov during his scheduled visit to the region. The mayors of municipalities across Yambol Province have also prepared a joint position on regional security.
