A one-way attack drone, believed to have been launched by Lebanon's Hezbollah, struck the UK's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus at around midnight on Sunday, prompting a partial evacuation of the facility. Two more drones were intercepted on Monday morning, according to Cypriot authorities, as part of what appears to be a sustained targeting of the base amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the incident, stating that force protection at the base is at the highest level and that the base responded to defend personnel. Defence sources indicated the drone was likely a Shahed-type, a relatively cheap Iranian-designed one-way attack vehicle. Parts have been recovered and are being investigated. No casualties were reported, and damage was limited.
The drone strike occurred hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would allow the US to use its airbases to bomb Iranian missile sites. However, officials noted that the drone's flight time suggests it was launched before Starmer's announcement. The UK has sought to limit its involvement in the conflict but is considered by Iran to be a close ally of the US.
In a recorded statement, Starmer said Iran's approach was becoming more reckless and putting British lives at risk, leading to the decision to permit US use of British bases for the specific and limited defensive purpose of targeting missile storage depots and launchers. He confirmed British forces would not be directly involved in the strikes.
The Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides, confirmed that a Shahed drone hit the base, causing minor material damage, and reiterated that Cyprus does not participate in any military operations. Family members of British military personnel have been relocated elsewhere in Cyprus as a precaution.
