UK military base hit by suspected drone strike, MoD confirms | World | News
A suspected drone strike hit an RAF base in Cyprus, the Ministry of Defense said.
A Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesman said: “Our armed forces are responding to a suspected drone attack on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.
“Our force protection in the region is at its highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.”
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A Ministry of Defense spokesman added: “This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.”
The update came shortly after a “security threat” was announced at British bases in Cyprus just before midnight on Sunday. It was reported that air sirens were heard at the base and warplanes took action.
Cyprus Post reported that staff at the base were informed of the threat and were ordered to “return to your homes and stay inside until further notice.” They were also instructed to “move away from windows and hide behind or under sturdy, sturdy furniture” and await further instructions.
Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that two Iranian missiles were fired at Cyprus but the missiles were intercepted. Speaking about yesterday’s attack, Mr Healey said: “We are pretty sure they were not targeting our bases” but added it showed “how indiscriminate” Iran’s retaliation was.
He said: “We do not believe they are targeting Cyprus, but this is nevertheless an example of what a real and growing threat there is from a regime attacking broadly across the region.”
“This shows how our bases, personnel, military and civilians are currently at risk from a regime that is making increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrollable attacks,” Mr Healey added.
Israeli journalist Bitton Rosen reported that an “explosion” was heard near the British Akrotiri Air Force base in Limassol. It was stated that the explosion may have occurred as a result of an “accident”.
Rosen reported: “A suspected accident at the British Akrotiri Air Force base in Limassol, Cyprus. A strong explosion was heard in the area and simultaneously an alarm was raised at the base and a chaos of aircraft occurred.”
The explosions were reported just hours after Keir Starmer said British armed forces in the Middle East were ‘at risk’. “Due to Iran’s actions, our Armed Forces across the region are also at risk. Yesterday, Iran attacked a military base in Bahrain and narrowly missed British personnel.
There are two major British Armed Forces bases in Cyprus, at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. In addition, there are nearly 40 areas on the island used by the British for military purposes.
The bases host thousands of British personnel permanently assigned to the island and are of key strategic importance due to the island’s location close to the Middle East.
