Drone hits UK base in Cyprus

New Delhi, Mar 2: Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has confirmed that an Iranian-made drone struck British military facilities in southern Cyprus shortly after midnight.

In a post on X, the president said a ìShahed unmanned aerial vehicleî crashed into UK installations in Akrotiri, causing minor material damage.

Shahed drones are widely used by Iran and its allies in regional conflicts.

Christodoulides said he remains in ìconstant contactî with European and other international leaders following the incident, stressing that Cyprus ìdoes not intend to be part of any military operationî.

The strike targeted facilities linked to RAF Akrotiri, located within the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia,  British sovereign territory on the island.

In a statement issued after the attack, the Ministry of Defence said it was relocating family members living at the base as a precaution.

ìThe safety of our personnel and their families is our absolute priority,î the statement said. ìAs a precautionary measure we are moving family members who live at RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation nearby on the island of Cyprus.î

The ministry added that the base and its personnel ìcontinue to operate as normal protecting the safety of Britain and our interestsî.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions across the region, with Cyprus seeking to distance itself from direct military involvement despite hosting key British facilities.