The UK’s base in Akrotiri, Limassol was hit by Iranian-made drones on Monday morning, marking the first confirmed direct attack against British troops and on European soil during the escalating US-led war against Iran.
Kitasweather, a local weather monitoring site, said its cameras from Pissouri recorded four separate attacks between 8.59pm and 5.15am. “Multiple hovering objects (very likely drones/missiles) over the British Base Akrotiri were recorded by our camera from Pissouri during the night. Some appear to be intercepted and others fall to the ground,” the site said.
President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed earlier that a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle struck military facilities at the British Bases at Akrotiri at 12.03am, causing minor material damage.
The UK Ministry of Defence is evacuating military families from RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation in Cyprus following the strikes. “The safety of our personnel and their families is our absolute priority,” the ministry said.
Cooper said the UK was working on “every possible option” to protect Britons trapped in the Gulf, including a mass evacuation. She said there were around 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries targeted by Iran.
The Cyprus Interior Ministry activated Civil Defence forces and opened emergency shelters in Limassol, warning residents that sirens may sound if further attacks occur.
The strikes come as Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Gulf following joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday.
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