European allies are rushing to bolster Cyprus' defenses after a drone attack targeted a British air base on the island over the weekend. The small Eastern Mediterranean nation has found itself unexpectedly drawn into the aftermath of US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Key Takeaways
European allies are reinforcing Cyprus' defenses following a drone attack on a British air base. The UK is sending additional military assets, including helicopters and destroyer HMS Dragon, while France and Greece have also pledged support. The incident has raised concerns about regional security and the potential escalation of conflict.
The UK has announced it is sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities as well as the Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Dragon. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that a French frigate, the Languedoc, would arrive in Cyprus on Tuesday evening. Greece has agreed to send four F-16 fighter jets and two frigates, including the ship Psara equipped with an anti-drone system called Centauros.
Visiting Nicosia, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias promised that "Greece is present, and will continue to be present to assist in any way in the defence of the Republic of Cyprus". Such military assets aim to prevent further drone incursions and avoid casualties that could risk pulling Britain and the EU into a broader conflict.
The BBC team reported hearing the fierce roar of jets outside RAF Akrotiri, which is used for training and as a mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East. While Britain did not join US-Israeli strikes on Iran, British planes are participating in what the government describes as "defensive operations" to protect UK citizens and allies.
On Tuesday night, the Ministry of Defence said that RAF F-35 jets flying over Jordan shot down an Iranian drone. The drone scare at Akrotiri led to the evacuation of British families from the base and hundreds of local Cypriots living nearby. This has sparked anxiety among British military families and some local people, with Cyprus criticizing the UK's handling of the situation.
Cyprus has stressed it has no involvement in the widening Middle East conflict and isn't itself a target. The island lies off the coasts of Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, being the easternmost nation among the European Union's 27 member states. Britain's military presence in Cyprus is a legacy of its colonial past.
When Cyprus gained independence in 1960, the UK retained sovereignty over sites on the Akrotiri peninsula, covering just under 3% of land on the island. The British government now faces questions over its readiness to protect its overseas bases.
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