Two drones intercepted after overnight strike on Raf Akrotiri base
Two unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted after an overnight drone struck raf akrotiri, the British base in Cyprus, leaving no casualties and only minimal damage. The incidents have prompted military deployments by Greece, temporary dispersal plans for personnel and families, and political statements from leaders across Europe.
Raf Akrotiri struck overnight and later targeted by two drones
An unmanned aerial vehicle described as a Shahed-type hit the British airbase at Akrotiri around midnight local time (22: 00 GMT), causing limited damage and no casualties, Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides later said. On Monday, Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said two additional unmanned aerial vehicles were travelling in the direction of the British base when they were successfully intercepted.
Greek defence deployment: two frigates, Kimon, Kentauros and F-16s
Greece ordered an immediate military deployment to Cyprus, with two frigates and a pair of F-16 fighter jets sent to the island, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said. Athens said one of the frigates is the Belharra-class Kimon and that a second frigate will be equipped with the Kentauros anti-drone system; Dendias and General Dimitrios Choupis are due on the island on Tuesday to coordinate the response.
Precautions at the base and airport: dispersals, sheltering and evacuations
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed it was planning the "temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel" from RAF Akrotiri and said it is working with the Republic of Cyprus and local authorities to support Akrotiri residents who want to temporarily leave the village. The UK Ministry of Defence has said family members would be moved to alternative accommodation as a precautionary measure. Employees at the base received messages telling them to stay away from windows and take shelter behind furniture, while sirens were reported in the area and vehicles were seen evacuating the base.
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 warned of a possible drone threat in the Paphos region. A media organisation has contacted the MoD for comment.
Political reactions: Starmer, Christodoulides, von der Leyen and Cooper
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had agreed to a US request to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes and announced that the United States would be allowed to use U. K. bases to "destroy [Iranian] missiles at source. " After confirming the strike, President Nicos Christodoulides said in a televised address: "I want to be clear: Our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation. "
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had been briefed by the Cypriot president and stated that "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 incident and that the MoD was assessing the source, locations and timings. Cooper insisted it was "simply not true" that the UK was being dragged into an Iraq-style conflict and said ministers were considering plans to evacuate people from the region: she put the possible total at about 300, 000 Britons and said roughly 102, 000 had registered their presence with UK authorities. While a full evacuation was being planned, she said other options— including sending rapid deployment teams to work with the travel industry, airlines and governments—were likely to be used.
