Explosions were heard shortly after midnight on Sunday following a suspected Akrotiri drone attack targeting the British air base RAF Akrotiri, according to confirmation from the UK Ministry of Defence.
Personnel at the base received instructions to move away from windows and take cover behind protective structures as sirens sounded across the wider Limassol area. Authorities confirmed that primary schools in Akrotiri, Asomatos, Trachoni and Episkopi will remain closed today as a precaution.
Evacuations and limited damage
Several residents evacuated their homes and spent the night at the Limassol National Guard Camp (KEN). Officials reported no injuries.
British media indicated that the Akrotiri drone attack caused limited material damage within the airport perimeter. London announced it will temporarily relocate non-essential personnel from the base for precautionary reasons.
Cyprus at war pic.twitter.com/4cLnTHMk2B
— Lebanese Fella 🇱🇧🇺🇦🇫🇷 (@LbfIntel) March 1, 2026
Reports of missiles between Cyprus and Beirut
Some analysts suggest the strike may have originated from Lebanon, specifically from Hezbollah.
Leaked communications between Cyprus Air Traffic Control and an aircraft reportedly stated: “The Akrotiri military base said there are many missiles between Cyprus and Beirut.”
Shahed drone reference
The British government has not clarified the origin of the unmanned aerial vehicle. However, President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the aircraft was a Shahed-type drone of Iranian manufacture.
The President stressed that Cyprus does not participate in any way and does not intend to become part of any military operation.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson described the situation as “ongoing” and confirmed that force protection levels remain at their highest.
Additional defence assets deployed
In recent days, authorities transferred additional defensive assets to Cyprus, including counter-drone systems, radar equipment and F-35 fighter jets. London insists these deployments serve purely defensive purposes.
Flight tracking data recorded the take-off of a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft from Akrotiri shortly after the incident.
UK approves US base use
Speaking yesterday, UK Defence Secretary John Healey claimed missiles had been launched towards British bases in Cyprus from Iran, a claim that Cypriot authorities did not confirm.
On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in a recorded message that London approved a US request to use British military bases, without specifying which locations.
He stressed that the UK will not engage in offensive action “at this stage” but supports collective self-defence of allies and the protection of its citizens in the region. According to Sky News estimates, US access may concern Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England.
My update on the situation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/DvsOVcTDMy
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 1, 2026
Social media leaks
On 28 February, social media posts circulated claims that members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Iranian nationals to distance themselves from certain bases, including in Cyprus.
The Akrotiri drone attack remains under investigation as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Also read: Suspected drone attack at RAF Akrotiri, no casualties reported
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