The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed on Monday that a suspected drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight, marking the first confirmed direct attack on British military facilities and European soil, in the US-led war against Iran.
“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 terrified residents of Akrotiri community 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.
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 Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday that Cyprus was not a target. Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas categorically denied reports of missiles fired towards the island.
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