The United Kingdom reported that Iran targeted the runway at the RAF airbase in Akrotiri, Cyprus, with a Shahed-type drone strike last night. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Earlier, the UK Ministry of Defence had announced the relocation of families from the base as a precautionary measure amid strengthened security protocols.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking on Sky News, referenced the escalating tensions in the Middle East and said the government is making every effort to ensure UK citizens in the wider region can return safely and as quickly as possible.

She noted that around 300,000 British nationals are in Gulf countries now targeted by Iran, including states where airspace has been closed due to the crisis. Cooper urged citizens to follow local authorities’ instructions, which generally involve staying in safe shelter.

Regarding the RAF Akrotiri incident, Cooper stated that the runway was the target. “We are not able to provide further details at this stage, but all precautionary measures around the base are being taken,” she added.

Reports of a second intercepted drone

A security alert was triggered at midnight at the RAF Akrotiri base following a suspected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strike, prompting official assessments by the UK and Cyprus.

Sources report that besides the drone that hit the runway, a second drone was intercepted. Video circulating on social media, authenticity unverified, appears to show the moment of the explosion.

Security sources told protothema.gr that after identifying the UAV as a Shahed drone, it most likely was launched from Lebanon, from a Hezbollah base. Hezbollah had previously threatened Cyprus on June 19, 2024, when Hassan Nasrallah warned that Cyprus could be considered “part of the war” in a broader conflict with Israel if it allowed the use of airports or bases against Lebanon.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides responded that the country is not involved in military operations and follows a path of diplomacy and humanitarian assistance.

Schools closed

The Ministry of Education instructed that schools near the British Bases remain closed today for safety reasons.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed early that the armed forces responded to a suspected drone strike at midnight local time, with no casualties. Sky News reported that the situation was ongoing, with no official confirmation of the drone’s origin or identity. Both British bases in Cyprus are considered sovereign UK territory under the 1960 agreements.

From the Cypriot side, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis confirmed the incident involved a drone causing limited damage. The National Security Council convened under President Christodoulides to assess risks. By around 4:00 a.m., the alert level at the British bases was lowered from red to yellow, and sirens were silenced.

Christodoulides: Prioritizing the safety of the country and citizens

President Christodoulides called an emergency session of the National Council, including party leaders, the Defence Minister, the National Guard Chief, and the head of the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP).

In a statement, he said the drone was a Shahed UAV, and that he is in continuous contact with European and other world leaders regarding developments.

Full statement excerpt:

“Fellow citizens,
In light of last night’s events, I am addressing you directly. At 12:03 a.m., a Shahed-type UAV struck the British Bases in Akrotiri, causing minor material damage. All relevant authorities are on high alert. I immediately convened the National Security Council, which remains in continuous consultation. I am also in constant contact with European and other global leaders. I want to be clear: our country is not involved in any military action and does not intend to be part of any operation. We remain committed to our humanitarian role, and our priority is the safety of the country and its citizens.”

Drone origin remains unclear

It is unknown where the drone was launched from, who controlled it, or whether it was an act of sabotage in Cyprus. Shortly before the incident, a “security threat” was declared at the British Bases, instructing personnel and residents to remain indoors.

Social media speculations about the drone type circulated earlier, but authorities refrained from confirming technical details pending full investigation.

Why Akrotiri?

RAF Akrotiri is the UK’s operational hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. In times of tension, anyone seeking to send a message to London—or to allies using the base—views it as a symbolically high-value target, even if a single strike has limited operational effect.

The strike occurred shortly after London announced that the United States could use British bases for “defensive” operations amid the Iran crisis escalation.

Before the drone strike, there was confusion over reports by UK Defence Secretary John Healey that two missiles were launched toward Cyprus, though it was unclear if the bases were intentional targets. Cyprus officially denied being targeted or threatened.

Historical context: Syrian missile over Cyprus

Cyprus has previously experienced proximity to war zones. On July 1, 2019, during the Syrian conflict, a Russian S-200 missile exploded over the occupied areas, scattering debris over residential zones. There were no casualties, but minor fires and damage occurred, highlighting the risk of misfires in conflict zones.