Cyprus raises doubts about future of British bases on island after drone strike | Cyprus
Cyprus’ foreign minister said there were “questions” about the future of Britain’s military bases on the island following last Sunday’s drone attack.
The attack on RAF Akrotiri in Lebanon, suspected to have been carried out by Hezbollah, caused minimal damage and no casualties.
More drones were seized and the Department of Defense temporarily removed families from the base.
The attack sparked a diplomatic crisis, with Cyprus’ high commissioner to the UK, Kyriacos Kouros, saying the country was “disappointed” that Britain had failed to warn people on the island of the impending attack.
Greek Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides openly criticized the failure to stop the drone attack. His spokesman said last week: “All necessary steps will be taken to convey our dissatisfaction both with the way this message was conveyed and with the lack of timely warning yesterday to Cypriot citizens living near the Akrotiri bases.”
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday that there should now be a “talk” about the future of Britain’s two bases in Cyprus.
Speaking to BBC’s Newsnight program, Kombos said, “There are British bases on the island at the moment. There are questions. There are problems. There are concerns.”
“Our dissatisfaction was shared before and immediately after the incident. We are now focusing on the current situation and how we can manage the crisis.
“And, of course, it will reflect the lessons learned after the crisis and issues of serious concern.”
Asked if he wanted the air bases to be removed, Kombos said: “I don’t think anyone anywhere in the world would be in a position to accept the existence of bases on the island without expressing clear concern, given the current situation or the way things are going.”
He continued: “As for the future of the bases in Cyprus, this is an issue that has been on the agenda of both parties for a long time.
“But I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had, especially after carefully considering what has happened in recent days and hours.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy incorrectly described Cyprus as a member of NATO in a separate television interview.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Lammy said: “We will do everything we can to protect our air base, our personnel and our people, but we will also do it together with our allies because Cyprus is part of NATO.”
The Labor MP later told Sky News: “Cyprus is a NATO ally, so we are also co-ordinating with other teams and other close allies on how we equip the area.”
Cyprus is one of four EU countries that are not currently members of NATO, along with Austria, Ireland and Malta.
The British warship HMS Dragon, which has air defense capabilities, will set sail for Cyprus next week, following criticism over the UK’s response to drone attacks and accusations that it has insufficient military assets in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The United Kingdom is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and the British military personnel based there.
“We will always act in the interests of the UK and our allies.”
