Authorities in Paphos, a city in southwest Cyprus, have placed residents of Timi, Acheleia, and Mandria under “home confinement” due to concerns about potential retaliatory attacks by Iran and its allies. The directive came from Cyprus Civil Defence following recent events.
Paphos International Airport has resumed normal operations following a drone incident near the UK’s RAF Akrotiri base. The airport, located approximately 60 kilometers from the base, was evacuated along with the Akrotiri Municipal District after an unmanned drone struck the area at midnight local time on Monday. This led to the cancellation of 60 flights to and from Cypriot airports on Monday, including nine arrivals and departures at Paphos.
Residents of the affected communities have been advised to stay indoors and limit unnecessary travel. Timi Deputy Mayor Giorgos Polykarpou mentioned that authorities also facilitated the safe return of pupils and parents from Timi Regional Primary School, which caters to multiple nearby areas.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that Cyprus is not involved in any military actions and has no plans to participate in such operations. Following the drone incident, families of British service members were relocated from Akrotiri as a precaution. UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed no casualties and minimal damage to the base, condemning the attacks as dangerous and indiscriminate.
The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advisory, urging British nationals to take precautions due to increased regional tensions. Additionally, Cypriot authorities intercepted two more unmanned drones heading towards the base on Monday morning.
With ongoing tensions, about 300,000 Britons are estimated to be in regions affected by Iran’s actions, with 102,000 having registered with the Foreign Office. Contingency plans, including potential mass evacuations, are being considered to ensure the safety of individuals in the area.
In a parliamentary address on Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his decision to not allow UK bases for the initial strikes against Iran, a move criticized by former US President Donald Trump. However, Starmer later authorized the use of British bases by US forces to target Iranian missile facilities to safeguard nations impacted by Iranian assaults.
Iran has launched missiles and drones at US assets and allies in the Middle East, targeting various countries in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that at least 555 Iranians have died in these attacks, with recent casualties in different regions of Iran.
Iran reported a significant death toll from an Israeli strike on a girls’ school in Minab, with the number of fatalities rising to 180. The situation remains tense as the conflict continues to unfold in the region.
