The United States’ state department has firmly denied claims of abandoning its personnel after several officials were confirmed to have left Iraq aboard a British military aircraft, which subsequently landed at the Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus. A spokesperson stated, “The characterisation of the United States abandoning its people is false. There is no higher priority than the safety of our people,” as reported by the Cyprus Mail.
This statement follows the state department’s earlier decision to order non-emergency US government employees to depart Iraq due to escalating threats from Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias. The urgency of this evacuation likely influenced the officials’ choice to board the British flight.
While the state department refrained from disclosing specific operational details, they reassured that the US mission in Iraq continues to implement necessary measures to protect diplomatic personnel and facilities. They condemned the attacks on diplomatic, military, and civilian infrastructures in Iraq by Iranian-backed groups, underlining the need for urgent action against these militias.
Reports confirm that the US officials, which included some consular staff and contractors, flew from Harir airbase to Akrotiri. The aircraft was initially scheduled to transport equipment but was repurposed to accommodate the US personnel due to a lack of available American air assets in the region.
The British defence ministry spokesperson had earlier verified the flight, stating it did not occur on Thursday night when the base experienced drone attacks that resulted in injuries to US servicemen and the death of a French soldier. Akrotiri itself was struck by an Iranian-made drone shortly after midnight on March 2, highlighting the rising tensions in the region.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had confirmed that Akrotiri is now being utilised as a base for operations targeting Iranian threats, noting that British aircraft have engaged and shot down drones originating from Iran. This strategic decision came in light of the growing unrest and was followed by the announcement that US military operations would be supported from British bases, notably Diego Garcia and Fairford airbases.
However, this support was perceived as delayed by US President Donald Trump, who expressed his displeasure, stating, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.” Starmer sought to clarify that while British bases are involved in operational support, they are not directly used by US bombers.
In response to the drone strike on Akrotiri, the UK has taken steps to bolster the base’s defences. The HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer warship, was deployed to the island alongside three AW159 Wildcat helicopters and a Merlin Mk2 helicopter, enhancing security measures amidst escalating tensions.
