A Cypriot government spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis says two drones heading toward RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus were intercepted on Monday in the latest security incident involving the British military base.
The interception came less than 24 hours after a drone struck the base overnight on Sunday, causing what authorities described as “minimal damage” and no casualties.
The attack occurred at around midnight local time (22:00 GMT).
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides later confirmed that the drone involved in Sunday’s incident was Iranian.
On Monday, employees at RAF Akrotiri received a message warning of an “ongoing security threat,” as sirens were reported in the surrounding area.
In a post on X, Cypriot government spokesman Letymbiotis said the two drones were travelling toward the British base when they were successfully intercepted.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) had earlier announced that family members of personnel stationed at the base would be moved to alternative accommodation as a precautionary measure following Sunday’s strike.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration also confirmed plans for the temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel.
Address to parliament
Addressing Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK had agreed to a US request to use British military bases for “defensive” strikes but stressed that Britain was not participating in offensive military action.
“The use of British bases is limited to the agreed defensive purposes — we are not joining the US and Israeli offensive strikes,” Starmer said.
“The basis of our decision is the collective self-defence of longstanding friends and allies and protecting British lives. It is in accordance with international law.”
He clarified that British bases in Cyprus were not being used by US bombers and insisted that the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri was not a response to any recent UK government decision.
According to the UK’s assessment, the drone involved in Sunday’s attack had been launched before London announced it would permit the US to use its bases for defensive actions.
“We are not joining the strikes but we will continue our defensive actions in the region,” Starmer added, noting that France and Germany were also prepared to support US efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s capability to launch missiles and drones.
