A suspected drone strike hit a British air base in Cyprus overnight. According to Cypriot and British officials, the unmanned aerial vehicle struck RAF Akrotiri shortly after midnight, causing limited material damage but no casualties.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said the drone was a Shahed-type UAV and confirmed that all state services were on high alert. He stressed that Cyprus is not participating in any military operations and does not intend to become involved. Two sources told Reuters that a second drone was intercepted before reaching its target.
The base, located on the southern tip of Cyprus near Limassol, is one of two sovereign British military areas retained by the United Kingdom since the island's independence in 1960. It hosts both operational facilities and families of serving personnel. Authorities advised nearby residents to shelter in place following the impact, while non-essential staff were temporarily dispersed.
The strike is the first attack on the facility since a 1986 rocket assault. On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that London had agreed to a US request to use its bases for defensive operations against Iranian missile assets. At the moment, British defence officials say operations at other facilities continue as normal, but the incident underscores the growing geographic reach of the conflict...