Cyprus condemns UK after drone strike forces Akrotiri evacuations
Mar 2nd 2026
Cyprus will lodge a formal complaint and has not ruled out renegotiating Britain’s military base arrangements after a Shahed-type drone hit RAF Akrotiri, forcing local evacuations and prompting criticism of UK communication.
- Cyprus will file a formal diplomatic complaint and said it may seek to renegotiate the status of British bases on the island.
- A Shahed-type drone struck RAF Akrotiri just after midnight and additional drone attacks on the base were intercepted during the day.
- The origin of the strike is unconfirmed, with local media suggesting Lebanon and an IRGC commander threatening further strikes on Cyprus.
- Cyprus accused the UK of poor communication, saying there was no clear assurance that the bases would be used only for humanitarian purposes and that residents lacked a timely warning.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer said UK bases are not being used by US bombers and that the strike was not in response to any UK decision, noting the drone was launched before a UK announcement.
- Akrotiri is one of two British sovereign bases retained since Cyprus independence in 1960, and this is the first attack on a UK base on the island since 1986.