Drone Interception at RAF Akrotiri Base in Cyprus
Two drones were heading towards the UKs RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. This happened on Monday. The UKs RAF Akrotiri base is located in Cyprus. A spokesperson for the government said that these drones were intercepted. This happened after a drone strike on the RAF Akrotiri base overnight on Sunday. The earlier attack did not hurt anyone at the RAF Akrotiri base. It only caused some damage to the RAF Akrotiri base. This made the people in charge increase security measures at the RAF Akrotiri base. Read more.
Security Alerts and Precautionary Evacuation Measures
On Monday morning at the ground of the base, personnel at RAF Akrotiri warned of a threat of attack against the base. Operators at the RAF Akrotiri base warned of a skirmish, advised to remain away from windows. The RAF Akrotiri base sounded a siren to all its personnel. According to the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) Ministry of Defence (MoD), the families living at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri base will be transferred to Cyprus as a precautionary measure for their safety.
UK Government Statement on Defensive Military Use
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told Parliament something. He said the UK agreed to let the US use bases, like the RAF Akrotiri base only for defensive purposes. He said Britain is not taking part in strikes against Iran. The Prime Minister said that British bases, including the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus are not being used by US bombers. He said the UK is not joining the US and Israeli offensive strikes. He said the actions are defensive and lawful and aimed at protecting lives and allies including the people at the RAF Akrotiri base.
Confirmation of Iranian Drone and Regional Developments
Sir Keir Starmer also said that the drone strike on the RAF Akrotiri base was not a reaction to the UKs decision to allow US use of its bases like the RAF Akrotiri base. He said intelligence showed the drone launched before the announcement. Cypriot officials said defence forces intercepted and neutralised two drones heading toward the RAF Akrotiri base on Monday. President Nikos Christodoulides later confirmed that the drone involved in Sundays incident was Iranian. Read More
Authorities at Paphos Airport ordered the evacuation of the airport’s terminal after a drone was spotted. The US embassy in Cyprus also issued a warning about a drone threat in Paphos. Defence Secretary John Healey disclosed that there were no injuries and damage to the RAF’s Akrotiri base was minimal. All flights to and from Cyprus are cancelled by EasyJet. EU Commission Head Ursula von der Leyen said that The EU Stands With Cyprus. The clash in the Middle East is fast becoming a war, with attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran with Iran retaliating with missile and drone attacks (like the one, on RAF Akrotiri base). British forces took the drones. In response to the UK’s non-participation in operations, Starmer said that the aim of the operations is to prevent regime change and will include RAF Akrotiri’s safety.
