Cyprus demands UK base talks after RAF Akrotiri drone attack | Politics | News

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides called for discussion of the future of Britain’s military bases on the Mediterranean island. This followed growing concerns that the British government had failed to defend the bases following the outbreak of the Iran war.

The UK has had sovereignty over the bases since a 1960 agreement that gave independence to Cyprus and put British control over the facilities into law. But now Cypriot leaders want to restart talks on withdrawing from the island the bases that were attacked by drones at the beginning of the war.

The UK has come under criticism for its slow response to the attack on RAF Akrotiri, which was targeted by drones. While the drones are believed to have been fired by Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah, local protest groups say the presence of British bases has made the island a target.

Mr Christodoulides said the facilities were a “colonial outcome” as he called for discussions on the status and future of the facilities on the island. He added: “We will have an open and frank discussion with the British government when the situation in the Middle East is over.”

Two drones set to attack RAF Akrotiri were intercepted, but the third broke through the defenses and crashed into the base. HMS Dragon was dispatched a week after the attacks and still has not arrived.

Speaking to the BBC, the President said, “We have more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens in British bases. We are responsible for these people.” However, any new negotiations to change ownership of the bases are likely to be extremely complex and involve the UK, Greece, Türkiye and members of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Asked whether broadcasters wanted the bases removed, the President said: “We have a clear approach to the future of British bases. […] I will not negotiate openly.” The UK government insists that co-operation between Cyprus and the UK has “never been closer”.

Defense secretary John Healey visited the island this month and Britain has increased its capabilities in the region by sending aircraft and HMS Dragon. A few days after the first attack, two more Greek warships and a French ship arrived. Spain deployed a frigate nearby as part of a broader European response to the war.