British families on the ground received a terrifying message after RAF Base Akrotiri in Cyprus was attacked by a lopsided attack drone amid the latest conflict in the Middle East
A fire breaks out in a building damaged by an Israeli airstrike in the southern Beirut suburb of Haret Harik (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A British family at a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus was woken up last night by the terrifying sound of a drone falling to the ground, as conflict continued in the Middle East.
Family members of British military personnel were evacuated from the base, which also houses two schools, after a single-sided attack drone hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus around midnight local time last night.
Throughout the night, Iran continued retaliatory strikes in response to the American and Israeli attacks, which led to the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. At least three citizens have been killed in the UAE.
It is not yet clear whether the base was attacked by drones fired directly from Iran or from Tehran-backed proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. A security alert was sent to all British families in Cyprus following the attack, telling them to “take cover” and stay away from windows as Britain takes precautionary measures following the unprecedented incident.
read more: : Britain’s military base in Cyprus has been hit by a suspicious drone attack
This message was sent to British families in Cyprus urging them to hide
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the drone targeted the base’s runway and told Sky News: “We are not able to provide further information and details at this point, but obviously, all precautionary measures are being taken around the base.”
It is believed the drone was launched before Sir Keir announced he had allowed US forces to use British bases, rather than in retaliation for a change in policy.
Air raid sirens were activated and RAF Typhoon and F-35B Lightning jets began moving alongside air-to-air refuelling tankers. An alert sent to Britons on the island said, “The security threat remains persistent. Please return to your homes and remain indoors until further notice.”
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“Move away from windows and hide behind or under large, solid furniture. Please wait for further instructions,” The Sun reported.
Three British schools on the island have also been closed with immediate effect, two of which are at RAF Akrotiri and a third school at the isolated Dhekelia Garrison in the east of the island.
Although no injuries were reported, family members living at the base were being evacuated to safety on the island. It is unclear where they were fired from, but a base source said troops believe the launch sites may be in Lebanon. “Our armed forces are responding to a drone attack at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
“Our security in the area is at its highest level and the base has responded to protect our people. We will provide further information in due course.
While a spokesman for the Cypriot government said the attack “involved an unmanned drone, which caused limited damage” and urged, “I want to be clear: our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation.”
The drone attack came as Sir Keir Starmer gave the US military permission to use British airbases to carry out “terrible” missile and drone attacks on allies in the Middle East.
Sir Keir said British forces would not be directly involved in the attacks, and the bases would only be used for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting missile storage depots and launchers being used to attack Iran’s neighbours.
“We have decided to accept this request to prevent Iran from firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, ending British lives and attacking countries that are not involved,” he said.
