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Iranian Shahed Drone Hits NATO Base in Cyprus—UK Military Under Fire for Second Time
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Authorities in Cyprus reported a second drone attack on the same day targeting the British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, one of the United Kingdom’s most important overseas military installations, according to Cyprus Mail on March 2.
Two unmanned aerial vehicles launched toward RAF Akrotiri were “neutralized in time,” government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Monday afternoon, only hours after an earlier security incident at the same base.
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Earlier in the day, shortly after noon local time, officials declared a second “security threat” at the installation, underscoring growing concerns about the safety of the strategically vital airfield.
A source within Cyprus’ Interior Ministry said British military authorities decided to evacuate parts of the base, prompting the Cypriot government to order the evacuation of the nearby village of Akrotiri. Other surrounding communities were not included in the evacuation order.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 2, 2026
Smoke rises in the area of Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus after this morning’s Iranian drone attacks pic.twitter.com/KhkuGVl49n
British officials confirmed that non-essential personnel—including family members and partners of service members—were instructed to leave the base after a one-way attack drone struck the runway overnight.
The UK Ministry of Defence said an explosion heard shortly after midnight local time was caused by a drone strike. Officials reported no casualties and described the physical damage as minimal, though ministers confirmed the runway had been hit.
“The safety of our personnel and their families is our absolute priority,” a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
“As a precautionary measure, we are moving family members who live at RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation nearby on the island of Cyprus.”
Families were instructed to prepare belongings and report to designated assembly areas when directed, officials added.
Despite the incident, the ministry stressed that operations continue uninterrupted.
“Our base and personnel continue to operate as normal, protecting the safety of Britain and our interests,” the statement said.
Air raid sirens reportedly sounded across the base around midnight Sunday and continued for several hours as defensive measures were activated.
The attacks came shortly after the United Kingdom announced it would allow the United States to use regional bases to conduct strikes against missile facilities in Iran—a policy shift following earlier statements by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ruling out such involvement.
The Ministry of Defence said force protection measures across the region are now at the “highest level,” adding that RAF Akrotiri successfully responded to defend personnel during the incident.
In recent weeks, the UK has reinforced the base with additional military assets, including six F-35B fighter jets, enhanced radar coverage, counter-drone systems, and ground-based air defense units.
RAF Akrotiri serves as Britain’s busiest overseas airbase and a central hub supporting operations across the Middle East. Approximately 4,000 military personnel and family members are stationed at the installation.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is prepared to share its operational experience and technologies for countering Iranian-made drones with international partners, provided that the defense of Ukrainian cities remains the primary focus.
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