AKROTIRI, Cyprus: A drone strike hit a British air base in Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties, Cypriot and British officials said on Monday (Mar 2), in a marked escalation effectively dragging an EU member state into the conflict surrounding Iran.
The strike, which hit a runway at the Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri, was the first attack on the military facility since a rocket attack by Libyan militants in 1986. It shook the east Mediterranean island, a holiday hotspot and home to thousands of foreign companies.
Britain had moved additional air assets to Akrotiri in anticipation of US action against Iran in preceding weeks while saying British bases would not be used.
On Sunday, however, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain had accepted a US request to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.
British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said the US had not requested access to the Akrotiri air base.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said in a speech that the Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle caused minor damage when it crashed into the military facilities at 12.03am.
It was not immediately clear from where the Iranian-made Shahed had been fired. Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the British bases intercepted a second drone, but one of the sources later said it was ‘one drone’.
“All the competent services of the republic are on alert and in full operational readiness,” Christodoulides said.
“CYPRUS WAS NOT THE TARGET”
Akrotiri base, south-west of the sprawling coastal city of Limassol, is one of two bases Britain has retained in the former colony since independence in 1960. In addition to the military facilities, it houses families of serving personnel.
Although the bases are regarded as British sovereign territory, Cyprus itself is an EU member, now holding the bloc’s rotating presidency. Britain has no legal obligation to inform Cyprus of its use in military operations, but it is customary for London to inform Nicosia of activity.
“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.
Cooper said no further details could be provided immediately regarding the strike.
“All of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base,” Cooper told Sky News.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc stood by all its member states in the face of any threat.
“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,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.