John Healey, the UK defence secretary, has flown to Cyprus to address diplomatic tensions following a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, involved a Shahed-type drone that evaded detection by flying low and slow, according to UK officials. The drone is believed to have been launched by pro-Iranian militia in Lebanon or western Iraq, though an investigation has not conclusively determined its origin.
The strike, the first against a British military installation on Cyprus in 40 years, prompted the evacuation of families from the base and a bolstering of defences. Healey met his Cypriot counterpart on Thursday morning in Nicosia to discuss the incident, which has drawn criticism from the Cypriot government over the failure to provide timely warnings.
Cyprus’s high commissioner to the UK, Kyriacos Kouros, expressed disappointment with the lack of cooperation, stating that people were scared and expected more. President Nikos Christodoulides also criticised the failure to stop the drone, emphasising that Cyprus had no intention of participating in any military operations.
The UK has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon, expected to arrive next week, along with two Wildcat helicopters equipped with counter-drone capabilities. France and Greece have also sent military support, including F-16 fighter jets and anti-drone systems. Families evacuated from RAF Akrotiri are expected to remain away for some time.
