A suspected drone strike hit the British Royal Air Force’s base in Akrotiri in Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and zero casualties, according to the island’s president and Britain’s defence ministry.
This is the first attack on the British military since a rocket attack by Libyan militants in 1986. It represents a marked escalation in the ongoing conflict.
No Military Operation Participation
“All the competent services of the republic are on alert and in full operational readiness,” Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said in a speech.
The Shahed-type unmanned aerial struck the military facilities at 12:03 a.m., he stated.
“I want to be clear: Our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation,” Christodoulides said.
It is still uncertain from where the Iranian-made Shahed has been fired. Two sources speaking to Reuters said that the British bases intercepted a second drone.
Residents near Akrotiri were warned by base authorities to shelter in place until further notice due to the “suspected drone impact,” and they added that all non-essential personnel would be relocated, while other British facilities will operate as usual.
EU Stands With Bloc
On Sunday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepted a U.S. request to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.
While Cyprus is an EU member and holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, the UK military bases hosted there are considered British sovereign territory.
Akrotiri is southwest of the coastal city of Limassol, and is one of the two military bases that the UK has retained in the former colony since its independence in 1960. In addition to the military facilities, it houses families of serving personnel. Located on a square-shaped peninsula, Akrotiri has been used in past military operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a post on X stating, “While the Republic of Cyprus was not the target, let me be clear: we stand collectively, firmly and unequivocally with our Member States in the face of any threat.”
(with inputs from Reuters)
