drone attack — The situation in Cyprus escalated on Monday following an attack on RAF Akrotiri, where an unmanned drone struck shortly after midnight, resulting in limited damage.
- drone attack — The situation in Cyprus escalated on Monday following an attack on RAF Akrotiri, where an unmanned drone struck shortly after midnight, resulting in limited damage.
Cyprus’s National Security Council convened under President Nikos Christodoulides in light of the incident. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis provided details via a post on X, confirming that security protocols were activated immediately.
“Regarding an incident that occurred shortly after midnight at Akrotiri Base, according to information received at various levels, it was an unmanned drone which caused limited damage,” Letymbiotis stated.
The UK Ministry of Defence also confirmed the drone strike, noting that their Armed Forces were responding to the situation. A spokesperson for the ministry reassured the public, stating, “Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people. This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.”
Residents of Akrotiri reported a deafening explosion at the base, prompting immediate reactions as sirens blared and warplanes took off into the night sky. One resident described the chaos: “We heard a very loud explosion and within minutes planes started taking off whilst sirens blared non-stop. There was intense anxiety and fear.” Many locals fled their homes in panic, some seeking refuge with relatives without taking any personal belongings.
In the wake of the attack, the British Bases sealed their entrances and advised residents to stay indoors. Fear has gripped the community, with many demanding more information and support from the Republic of Cyprus.
This incident follows a series of retaliatory attacks launched by Iran across the Gulf after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. During this period of heightened tension, UK Defence Secretary John Healey mentioned that Iran had fired two missiles towards British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, although he expressed confidence that they were not aimed directly at the bases.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer reassured President Christodoulides that Cyprus was not a target of the missile strikes, while Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas categorically denied reports of missiles being fired towards the island.
