The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has provided a significant update following the recent drone attack on RAF Akrotiri.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Cyprus experienced an assault by an unmanned aerial vehicle at midnight local time on Monday. The MoD has confirmed that the drone was not launched from Iran but is believed to have originated from Lebanon, likely orchestrated by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, as assessed by Cypriot authorities.
Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that there were no injuries and minimal damage to the base. He characterized the incident as a perilous example of Iran and its allies’ indiscriminate attacks.
In an announcement posted on Wednesday, the MoD reiterated that the drone targeting RAF Akrotiri was not of Iranian origin, but rather a Shahed-like drone launched from Lebanon, according to senior Cypriot officials. They also clarified that the attack was aimed at the base and not Cyprus itself.
Following retaliatory actions by Iran and its associates against US and Israeli strikes, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the MoD disclosed ongoing defensive air operations by RAF Typhoon and F-35B jets, supported by Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft, to safeguard British interests and allies.
Additionally, the UK has provided air defense systems, including UK-manufactured air defense missiles, to British and allied bases in the Middle East in the past day. Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles are scheduled to arrive in Cyprus soon.
Cypriot authorities intercepted two more drones approaching RAF Akrotiri on Monday, prompting the relocation of British service personnel families as a precaution. The UK Foreign Office advised British nationals to take necessary precautions due to heightened regional tensions.
RAF Akrotiri, one of the two bases retained by Britain since Cyprus gained independence in 1960, remains a focal point amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.
