Suspected Drone Strike Hits RAF Akrotiri as UK Authorizes US Use of British Bases
British families evacuate Cyprus military installation following midnight attack and Iranian missile launches across the region
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Carla Rooney
A suspected drone strike targeted the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus at midnight local time as hostilities in the Middle East entered a third day of escalating kinetic engagement.
Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed an unmanned drone caused limited damage to the RAF Akrotiri facility. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated the drones specifically targeted the runway of the British base.
Air sirens wailed across the installation as fighter jets scrambled in response to the midnight threat. Israeli journalist Bitton Rosen reported a loud explosion near the British installation in Limassol, while local residents described hearing a distinct, heavy boom.
This kinetic event follows a pivotal shift in British foreign policy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK will allow the United States to use British bases to target Iranian missile sites.
It is vital to take out missile launchers in the face of reckless attacks directed at the Gulf.
These strategic hubs will be utilized for the specific and limited defensive purpose of targeting launchers used to attack Iran’s neighbors. Starmer asserted that British armed forces in the Middle East remain at risk after Iran recently hit a military base in Bahrain.
Security personnel at RAF Akrotiri ordered residents to stay inside their homes until further notice due to the ongoing threat. British families residing on the base have since been evacuated to ensure their safety.
Commercial aviation reacted swiftly to the volatility. EasyJet cancelled flights to the island, though the airline advised customers that some operations are currently scheduled to resume on March 3.
The UK government has not yet confirmed the origin of the drone. Officials are currently investigating whether the device was launched directly from Iran or by Tehran-backed proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Satellite imagery now shows the aftermath of US-Israeli strikes on Iran. These operations follow Iranian attacks on the UAE and Cyprus, including the launch of two missiles toward Cyprus that Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed were intercepted.
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer stated the UK is not at war with Iran. He maintained that it is vital to take out missile launchers in the face of reckless attacks directed at the Gulf.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated travel advice for Cyprus following reports of an explosion in Larnaca. Evacuations of non-essential personnel at RAF Akrotiri were briefly halted due to a new security threat.
Estimates suggest more than 200,000 British nationals, including military personnel, are currently at risk in the Gulf region. Officials are planning a rescue operation for UK citizens as the Tehran regime continues missile launches.
Prime Minister Starmer characterized Iran’s current actions as a scorched earth strategy. He asserted that the UK has learned lessons from the mistakes of the Iraq War regarding military involvement.
My country does not participate in and does not intend to be part of any military operation.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper clarified that the British bases authorized for US use do not include RAF Akrotiri. Other locations, including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, have been identified as potential launch points for strikes against Iranian silos.
Nigel Farage described the decision to allow the use of British bases as better late than never. Conversely, lawmaker John McDonnell warned that the UK is being drawn into a dangerous situation similar to the lead-up to the Iraq conflict.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides stated his country does not participate in and does not intend to be part of any military operation. The drone involved in the Akrotiri incident is believed to have been launched before the UK announced the new basing policy.
In Lebanon, health officials reported at least 31 people killed and 149 injured. The IDF confirmed a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon while ordering further civilian evacuations.
Three American troops were killed and five seriously injured in separate regional hostilities. A gunman wearing a 'Property of Allah' shirt killed two people and injured 14 at a bar, adding to the regional instability.
The UK government maintains that the decision to support US strikes is fully in line with international law. Zack Polanski claimed the Prime Minister had involved the country in an illegal war.