The UK and Cyprus confirmed on Monday that an unmanned drone struck RAF Akrotiri shortly after midnight, causing limited damage, as Cyprus’s National Security Council convened under President Nikos Christodoulides.
“Regarding an incident that occurred shortly after midnight at Akrotiri Base, according to information received at various levels, it was an unmanned drone which caused limited damage,” government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on X.
He said the competent authorities immediately activated the prescribed security protocols and are monitoring the situation in continuous coordination with the British government and the administration of the British Bases. “The National Security Council is in continuous session under the President of the Republic. Further information will be provided,” he added.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack earlier on Monday. “Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time,” a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
“Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people. This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.”
The confirmation came hours after residents of Akrotiri fled their homes following a deafening explosion at the base, with sirens blaring and warplanes scrambling into the night sky.
“We heard a very loud explosion and within minutes planes started taking off whilst sirens blared non-stop,” a resident told philenews. “There was intense anxiety and fear. Those who woke up came outside and for quite a while we kept hearing sirens.”
Most Akrotiri residents abandoned their homes, some fleeing to relatives without taking belongings. “We came to our relatives without taking clothes or personal items. Our children won’t go to school tomorrow,” one resident said.
The British Bases sealed their entrances and told British residents to stay indoors. Fear grips the community, with residents demanding immediate information and support from the Republic of Cyprus.
The strike comes as Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Gulf following joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday. Hezbollah also joined the conflict, launching projectiles at Israel.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey had told Sky News on Sunday that Iran fired two missiles in the direction of British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus during Saturday’s retaliatory strikes. “We are pretty sure they weren’t targeted at our bases,” he said.
However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told President Christodoulides on Sunday that Cyprus was not a target. Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas had categorically denied reports of missiles fired towards the island on Sunday.
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