British military base in Cyprus targeted in suspected drone attack

The attack marks the first strike on the UK’s Royal Air Force base ⁠of Akrotiri since 1986 as the UK PM agrees to help the US in its attacks on Iran.Published On 2 Mar 2026The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force base ⁠of Akrotiri in Cyprus has witnessed a suspected Iranian drone attack overnight, the island’s president and the British Ministry of Defence said, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would allow the United States to use its bases to attack Iran.“All the 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 facilities at 12:03am (22:00 GMT).Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Dramatic moment Iran’s retaliatory missile barrage hits Israellist 2 of 4Israel kills 31 in Beirut strike following Hezbollah rocket attacklist 3 of 4Iraqi police disperse pro-Iran protesters near US embassylist 4 of 4Anger on Pakistan streets, 20 dead, after US-Israel strike kills Khameneiend of list“I want to be clear, our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation,” Christodoulides said.Akrotiri, southwest of the sprawling coastal city of Limassol, is one of the two bases the UK has retained in the former ⁠colony since independence in 1960. In addition to the 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 impact”, adding that nonessential personnel would be dispersed and other British facilities would operate normally.Akrotiri, located on a square-shaped peninsula on the southern tip of Cyprus, has been used in ‌the past for military operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.The attack early on Monday morning, and the first on the British ⁠military facility, marks an escalation in the conflict, which is into its third day.