Raf Akrotiri: Two drones intercepted after overnight strike
Two unmanned aerial vehicles headed towards raf akrotiri on Monday were intercepted in time, a Cypriot government spokesperson said, after a drone struck the British base overnight on Sunday with no casualties and "minimal damage. " The interception followed a day of sirens, shelter warnings and precautionary movements for families linked to the base.
Interception and timing
Government the two drones were travelling in the direction of the British base at the time they were successfully intercepted. The incident came after an attack on Sunday at around midnight local time (22: 00 GMT), which Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides later said involved an Iranian drone.
Warnings and shelter messages
On Monday, employees received a message warning them of an "ongoing security threat" and were told to stay away from windows and take shelter behind furniture. Sirens were reported in the area; sirens could also be heard at the base exactly twelve hours after the drone struck on Sunday, authorities said.
Precautionary movements and family safety
The Ministry of Defence had said earlier that family members would be moved to alternative accommodation as a precautionary measure following Sunday’s attack. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed it was planning the "temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel" from RAF Akrotiri and said it was working with the Republic of Cyprus and local authorities to support any Akrotiri residents who are looking to temporarily leave the village.
Paphos airport alarm and local alerts
An alarm was separately raised at Paphos Airport after a suspected drone was spotted in the airspace and evacuation instructions were given. The US embassy in Cyprus further warned of a possible drone threat in the Paphos region.
Government statements and reactions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier in the day the UK had agreed to a US request to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, in a post, said the two drones were travelling towards the base when intercepted. A broadcaster has contacted the MoD for comment.
President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she had been briefed on Sunday’s attack by the Cypriot president and added: "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. "
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government was still investigating the details of the incident, with the MoD assessing details including the source, locations and timings. Cooper added: "We have seen the Iranian strikes - drone strikes and missile strikes - across Gulf partners and a whole series of areas that have not been involved in any strikes on Iran and it just really shows the seriousness of the reckless way the Iranian regime is behaving. "
