The attack marks the first attack on the UK Royal Air Force’s Akrotiri base since 1986, when the UK Prime Minister agreed to assist the United States in its attacks against Iran.
Published March 2, 2026
The UK Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus witnessed a suspected Iranian drone attack overnight, the island’s president and the British Ministry of Defense said, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would allow the United States to use its bases to attack Iran.
“All competent services of the republic are on alert and in full operational readiness,” President Nikos Christodoulides said in a speech on Monday, adding that the Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle caused minor damage when it crashed into the military installations at 00:03 (22:00 GMT).
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“I want to be clear: our country is not participating in any way and has no intention of being part of any military operation,” Christodoulides said.
Akrotiri, south-west of the sprawling coastal city of Limassol, is one of two bases the UK has maintained in the former colony since independence in 1960. As well as military facilities, it houses families of serving personnel.
Base authorities advised residents near Akrotiri to shelter in place until further notice after a “suspected drone hit”, adding that non-essential staff would be dispersed and other British installations would operate as normal.
Akrotiri, situated on a square-shaped peninsula at the southern tip of Cyprus, has been used in the past for military operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
The attack early Monday morning, and the first on the British military installation, marks an escalation in the conflict, which is in its third day.
The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack and said its forces were handling a “real situation”.
“Our protection force in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“We stick together”
It was not immediately clear where the suspected Shahed drone had been fired from, which came after Starmer said the UK would help Washington in the war against Iran. The UK had initially denied access over fears it would breach international law.
Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters news agency that UK bases intercepted a second drone. However, Al Jazeera was unable to verify the report.
In response to the drone attack, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc stands with its member states in the face of any threat.
“While the Republic of Cyprus was not the target, let me be clear: we collectively, firmly and unequivocally support our Member States in the face of any threat,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.
While the bases are considered sovereign British territory, Cyprus itself is a member of the European Union and currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency.
