Cyprus has blamed Britain’s “poor communication” for the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri – and has opened the door to Chagos-style negotiations over the use of the sovereign base.
The island nation said there was a lack of clarity over the use of the airbase – and said the UK had dragged Cyprus into the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The Cypriots said the British Government gave assurances RAF Akrotiri would only be used for humanitarian purposes in a press briefing.
However, after Sir Keir Starmer said the US would be allowed to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites, a spokesman for Cyprus’s Government, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, said: “This is something we must state we view with concern.”
He added that the UK had given “no clear clarification” that British military bases in Cyprus would continue to only be used for humanitarian needs.
When asked whether Cyprus would consider renegotiating the status of the British bases, the spokesman said: “In this regard, we are not ruling anything out.”
The bases, RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia, together form a British Overseas Territory and exclusively fall under British sovereignty.
Mr Letymbiotis said Cyprus “remains strictly committed to its humanitarian role”, adding that the country views itself as a “hub for humanitarian aid”.
Sir Keir’s decision to allow the US to deploy from British military bases came just hours before the strike on RAF Akrotiri by an unmanned small drone.
A military plane which took off from RAF Akrotiri on Monday (March 2)
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Defence Secreatary John Healey said the damage caused by the strike was “minimal” and there were no casualties.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said the drone was Iranian-made.
Local media has reported that it most likely came from Lebanon, home to terror group Hezbollah.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leader Sardar Jabbari has since threatened to strike Cyprus itself.
He said: “The Americans have moved most of their aircraft to Cyprus. We will launch missiles at Cyprus with such intensity that the Americans will be forced to leave the island.”
PICTURED: An RAF Typhoon at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus | GETTY
It has been reported the US is likely to deploy bombers to strike Iran from joint US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands and from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
And on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer insisted to MPs: “It is important for me to say that our bases in Cyprus are not being used by US bombers.”
Mr Letymbiotis said the PM’s words reflected a “common conclusion” or “if you like, the joint position”.
RAF Akrotiri is said to be “preparing for war” after the unmanned drone struck part of the airbase used by top secret US spy planes.
The Ministry of Defence closed three schools on the site and military families were told to flee.
Sources on the base said: “It is embarrassing how little warning we had.”
President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said the drone was Iranian-made but it remains unconfirmed where it was shot from
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Cyprus Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis (pictured) did not rule out renegotiation of RAF Akrotiri
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CYPRUS GOVERNMENT
It is believed up to four of the Shahed-style drones, which have been commonly used by Russian forces in the Ukraine war, targeted the airbase in Cyprus, with at least two being successfully intercepted.
A source in Cyprus told The Sun: “It all happened so quickly. Sirens, warnings, the sound of explosions.
“Everyone’s wondering how they got so close before they triggered an early warning.”
Sir Keir Starmer reassured Parliament the strikes on RAF Akrotiri were not a response by the Government’s decision to allow the US to deploy from British bases.
The Prime Minister said: “In our assessment, the drone was launched prior to our announcement.
“Iran’s aggression towards Britain and our interests is long-standing, and that is why we have always ensured that protections for British bases and personnel are at their highest level.”
