The Cypriot government has voiced strong criticism of the UK’s handling of information following drone attacks on a British military base on the island, days before a
planned visit by Defence Secretary John Healey.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Cyprus’ High Commissioner to the UK, Kyriacos Kouros, said residents were “disappointed and scared” by what he described as insufficient communication after RAF Akrotiri was targeted overnight on Sunday. Additional drones were later intercepted.
Kouros called for closer cooperation between British authorities and local Cypriot officials, arguing that clearer and faster information sharing was vital to reassure the public. “People could reasonably expect more,” he said, adding that while he welcomed attention from UK leaders, further engagement was needed to address local concerns.
The attack on the RAF base caused what officials described as minimal damage and no injuries. In response, the UK Ministry of Defence temporarily relocated families stationed at the base to alternative accommodation as a precaution.
The incidents come against the backdrop of rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, which have since spiralled into wider conflict. The unrest has led to thousands of flight cancellations across the region as airspace restrictions expand.
Responding to the criticism, Home Office Minister Alex Norris said the UK remained “absolutely resolute” in protecting its interests and those of its partners. He told BBC Breakfast that defensive systems deployed in the eastern Mediterranean had already made a “really significant impact”.
The UK has also confirmed that the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon, equipped with advanced air-defence capabilities, will be deployed to Cyprus, although it is not expected to arrive until next week.
Norris stressed that Cyprus remained a close ally. “We’re working hand in hand with our partners,” he said, “and Cyprus is obviously a really close one.” Photo by Republicofkazai, Wikimedia commons.