The quarry dispute with British authorities has intensified, with around 75 UK public-order officers reportedly prepared for possible deployment to the island amid fears of protests at the British Sovereign Base Areas.
The developments were reported by LBC, which said the Bases police had requested support from UK police forces over concerns that demonstrations could block access to facilities. The request was withdrawn at the last minute, after one British officer had already travelled to Cyprus.
The dispute centres on long-delayed applications to expand three limestone quarries in the British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The companies have been waiting since 2018 for approval and have warned that their existing reserves are running out.
Three units of 25 officers
The National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed to LBC that public-order officers were being prepared for a possible deployment to Cyprus following a request from police in the Sovereign Base Area.
Three Police Support Units were reportedly being lined up, with around 25 officers in each unit. Medical personnel and evidence-gathering teams were also expected to provide support.
The request was eventually withdrawn late on Wednesday, according to LBC, with only one officer having travelled to Cyprus beforehand.
Quarry operators warn of further disruption
Antonis Latouros, president of the Cyprus Quarries Association, told LBC that two of the three quarries had already been forced to stop operating, while the third had only a few months of reserves remaining.
He said the companies could be forced to dismiss workers and described growing frustration over the delays.
Latouros said the British authorities were requiring a year-long study to determine whether extending the quarries could affect bats in a cave.
“I’m trying to keep our members calm and convince them to wait a little bit more, but this is very difficult,” he told LBC, adding that “the trust has gone”.
He also warned that potential protests could involve residents of communities around the Bases, who have raised wider concerns about restrictions on property and land development.
Asked whether demonstrations could become violent, Latouros said they could if protesters became sufficiently frustrated or angry.
Threat of wider construction disruption
The dispute has implications beyond the three quarry operators because limestone supplies are used by the construction sector.
In September 2025, 22 quarry companies across Cyprus halted sales for 48 hours in support of the three companies involved in the dispute. The Quarries Association has now left open the possibility of renewed and stronger action, including measures that could disrupt the wider sector.
In January, residents also blocked access to the Dhekelia firing range during a protest, preventing military personnel from carrying out exercises, according to LBC.
James Morphakis, a journalist with the Cyprus Mail, told LBC that the situation was the most tense since 2018. He attributed the wider tensions to years of delays, communication problems and repeated studies surrounding issues involving the British Bases.
The UK maintains sovereignty over the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia under arrangements established when Cyprus became independent in 1960.
LBC said it contacted the UK government for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
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