A suspected drone strike has hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, prompting the activation of security protocols and the temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel, officials have confirmed.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight local time on Monday at the joint operating base near Limassol, as hostilities between Iran and the United States continue to escalate across the Middle East.
There were no reported casualties.
An Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
“Our armed forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time. 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 Sovereign Base Areas Administration described the dispersal of non-essential personnel as a “precautionary measure”. It said the move applied only to RAF Akrotiri Station and not to the wider British bases community.
“We understand in the wider British bases community that people are concerned and that some residents have decided to leave Akrotiri Village,” a statement said. “Whilst we appreciate people may be worried, we do not believe this is necessary.”
Residents in Akrotiri village had earlier been advised to “shelter in place”. Other facilities on the island are continuing to operate as normal.
Konstantinos Letymbiotis, a Cyprus government spokesman, said initial information indicated the incident involved an unmanned drone which caused “limited” damage.
“The competent authorities immediately activated the prescribed security protocols and are closely monitoring the situation, in continuous coordination with both the Government of the United Kingdom and the administration of the British Bases,” he said in a statement on X.
According to the MoD, RAF Akrotiri is used as a forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and for fast jet training. It is understood the UK recently moved additional resources to bases in Cyprus as part of ongoing regional operations.
Strike follows UK approval for US base use
The suspected strike came hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that Britain had granted a US request to use UK bases in connection with strikes on Iranian missile sites.
Sir Keir said the decision was taken to protect British nationals and allies in the region and accused Iran of pursuing a “scorched earth strategy”. He stated that British forces would not be directly involved in the strikes and that UK bases would be used only for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting missile storage depots and launchers used to attack Iran’s neighbours.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request – to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved,” he said.
The Government has published a summary of its legal position, stating that its actions are consistent with international law and fall under “collective self-defence”.
It remains unclear which British facilities may be involved. Former US president Donald Trump has previously referred to requesting access to Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. Reports have also suggested the United States could use RAF Fairford, which is capable of handling American heavy bombers.
Regional tensions intensify
The strike on RAF Akrotiri comes as hostilities in the Middle East enter their third day. The United States and Israel continue to strike Iranian targets following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Overnight, Israel carried out strikes on Beirut after Hezbollah fired missiles across the border. The Israeli military said it intercepted one missile and reported no injuries, later urging residents in 50 Lebanese villages to evacuate ahead of potential further action.
More than 200,000 British nationals, including military personnel, are believed to be in Gulf states affected by the escalating conflict.
The Foreign Office has launched a large-scale support operation and is advising British citizens to remain where they are, follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor travel advice closely. Those in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE have been urged to register their presence online, with more than 94,000 people, mostly in the UAE, having done so.
Officials are understood to be drawing up contingency plans for potential evacuation routes should airspace closures across the Gulf persist.
Political reaction
The Prime Minister’s decision to allow US use of British bases has prompted political reaction at Westminster.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticised the move, accusing Sir Keir of involving Britain in “yet another Middle East illegal war”. The Liberal Democrats have called for MPs to be given a vote on the matter.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the decision was “better late than never” and described the Prime Minister as “a follower, not a leader”.
The situation at RAF Akrotiri remains under close review, with officials describing it as ongoing. Further updates are expected.
