Drone attack on UK military base in Cyprus, Europe on high alert

A British military base in Cyprus was reportedly attacked by a drone believed to be manufactured by Iran from midnight on the 1st to early morning on the 2nd, drawing concern from European countries. EU member states Greece and France have intervened sequentially. On the 2nd, Greece dispatched two F-16 fighters and two frigates to Cyprus. Additionally, according to Cyprus News Agency on the 3rd, France plans to deliver missile defense systems, drone countermeasures, and a frigate to this Mediterranean island nation.

According to a statement from the Cypriot government on the 2nd, a drone attacked the UK’s Sovereign Base Area at Akrotiri, causing “limited damage.” Hours later, two more drones heading toward the base were intercepted.

The attack caused no casualties, but it occurred amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions following joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Media outlets like Reuters reported that the first attacking drone was “manufactured by Iran and came from the direction of Lebanon,” which heightened concerns among European countries.

The UK confirmed that its Middle East forces are involved in “defensive military actions” against Iran, such as intercepting incoming drones and missiles. However, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated in Parliament on the 2nd that while the UK agrees to the US using British military bases for “specific, limited defensive purposes,” this does not include the British bases in Cyprus, as it is “inappropriate.” At Cyprus’s request, the British military presence there will be limited to “humanitarian purposes.”

Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, controls a strategic crossroads connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The country has long-standing tensions between Greek and Turkish communities. Britain administered Cyprus as a colony from 1878 until independence in 1960. Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. Both the UK, Greece, and Turkey maintain military forces on the island. The United Nations has long stationed peacekeeping troops in Cyprus and has repeatedly mediated negotiations between Greek and Turkish leaders for reunification.

Cyprus is the current rotating presidency of the European Union. The EU had scheduled a cultural ministers’ meeting in the country on March 5-6, but it was postponed due to US and Israeli actions against Iran; another EU ministerial meeting scheduled for the 2nd and 3rd was also canceled over concerns about regional security and flight disruptions. Since February 28, many international flights to and from the region have been canceled, leaving many travelers stranded.

Among the two frigates Greece sent to Cyprus, one is equipped with Greece’s domestically developed “Centaur” drone countermeasure system. Reuters reported that this system was previously used to respond to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces on foreign ships. A Cypriot defense source said the system can monitor and disable low-flying drones. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stated on the 2nd that Greece will “use all available means” to defend Cyprus.

According to Cyprus News Agency, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides early on the 3rd, expressing France’s willingness to provide military support.

Germany, after the attack on the British base in Cyprus, was asked by German media whether NATO countries might become targets if tensions with Iran escalate. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock responded, “There is no denying that such a danger exists.” She reiterated that Germany does not participate in any direct military confrontation and “does not intend to use its military facilities for that purpose,” calling for resolving issues through negotiations.

Following large-scale US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, the German government has stated it will “not participate in the conflict,” but “reserves the right to take military defensive measures.” Baerbock told German radio that this was understood as “if attacked, German soldiers will take self-defense measures.” According to the German Defense Ministry, Germany currently has over 500 soldiers stationed in the Middle East, including more than 200 in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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