US EditionCyprus RAF Base Faces Drone Attacks
The strike caused minimal damage and no casualties; a second drone was intercepted, highlighting rising regional tensions linked to Iran-US-Israel conflict.
- On March 2, 2026, RAF Akrotiri air base, Cyprus, was struck by an Iranian-made drone that hit the runway, causing minimal damage and no casualties, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
- Following the U.S.-Israel strikes, the attack came hours after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer allowed American forces to use British bases targeting Iranian missile sites, though it remains unclear if Iran or Tehran-backed groups launched the device.
- Sirens and aircraft responses followed when two unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Akrotiri, about 37 miles from Paphos, with Typhoon fighter jets and F-35 warplanes deployed.
- As a result, family members who live at RAF Akrotiri were moved to nearby accommodation, Paphos International Airport was evacuated, and some flights between Paphos, Larnaca, and the UK were cancelled.
- Britain had already strengthened Akrotiri with Britain's deployed F-35 jets and counter-drone systems, and Defence Secretary John Healey warned, `We are pretty sure they weren't targeted at our bases` while Greece responded by sending planes and ships to Cyprus.
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Cyprus also relies on the help of Greek F-16 Viper fighters
Weaknesses of the Cypriot air defense, which are expected to be covered by the purchase of the Greek drone detection and neutralization system.
The drone that hit the British base of Akrotiri on the night of Sunday to Monday was the first strike affecting a European Union country since the start of the war triggered by the American-Israeli strikes on Saturday.
The drones manufactured in Iran that have targeted a British military base in Cyprus have been launched from neighbor Lebanon, probably by Hezbollah, declared to the AFP a Cypriot government source.
After the drone attack, two other unmanned aircraft were shot down during Monday, which were approaching the base. Greece announced military support for Cyprus.
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