Cypriot officers harassed that, given the circumstances, they’d anticipated unequivocal clarification from the UK.
Britain is sending a warship and helicopters with counter-drone capabilities to Cyprus after a one among its RAF bases on the vacation island was struck in an Iranian drone assault. The RAF base in Akrotiri was hit on Sunday night time, prompting an evacuation of households on the web site. The assault got here two days into the US-Israeli Operation Epic Fury, aerial strikes on Iran which, rompted the regime in Tehran to retaliate on a number of Gulf international locations – in addition to on the Mediterranean island cherished by Brits.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the UK could be sending HMS Dragon, one of many Royal Navy’s six Sort 45 air defence destroyers, after RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was hit by a drone. The helicopters will likely be Wildcats, the Press Affiliation understands.
He wrote on X: “The UK is absolutely dedicated to the safety of Cyprus and British army personnel based mostly there. We’re persevering with our defensive operations and I’ve simply spoken with the president of Cyprus to let him know that we’re sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the area. We’ll at all times act within the curiosity of the UK and our allies.”
Dozens of flights to and from Cyprus have been cancelled after the Akrotiri RAF base was struck within the drone assault. Hermes Airports, which operates each Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO), confirmed greater than 60 flights have been axed throughout the 2 websites.
easyJet was among the many hardest hit, cancelling all its providers to and from Cyprus on March 2 as a precaution. The price range service axed a number of return flights linking London Gatwick and Manchester with each Paphos and Larnaca. British Airways cancelled its 4 scheduled Larnaca providers from the UK on Tuesday and suspended a number of different Center East routes as much as March 5.
5 days in the past22:36 Holly Kintuka
Stories of sturdy explosions heard close to RAF base in Cyprus
It has been reported that sturdy explosions have been heard close to a Royal Air Drive base in Cyprus.
In line with Hallel Bitton Rosen, an Israeli journalist, there are “suspicions of a crash” on the British Akrotiri Air Drive base in Limassol, with alarms reportedly heard going off, reviews The Mail.
5 days in the past22:14 Holly Kintuka
The US request use of British bases
The UK has agreed to the US request to make use of British bases “to stop Iran firing missiles throughout the area, killing harmless civilians, placing British lives in danger, and hitting international locations that haven’t been concerned”, the prime minister says.
Within the announcement, Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK “weren’t concerned within the preliminary strikes on Iran” however added that the nation is “supporting the collective self-defence of our allies and our individuals within the area”.
Defence Secretary John Healey mentioned that whereas the UK doesn’t imagine Cyprus was Iran’s goal, the assault highlights an growing risk.
He informed Sky Information this morning: “However, it is an instance of how there’s a very actual rising risk from a regime that’s lashing out broadly throughout the area, and that requires us to behave, it requires us to behave defensively, in a really, very coordinated means.”
6 days in the past21:14 Holly Kintuka
UK provides full help to Cyprus
Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave his full help to the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, earlier right this moment.
In a name, the pair mentioned Iran’s assaults, which have induced vital destruction throughout the Center East area.
Two missiles have been fired within the course of Cyprus right this moment; it’s believed that the nation was not the goal.
Iran fired missiles within the course of Cyprus (Picture: Getty) 6 days in the past19:46 Holly Kintuka
Recap of what is occurred thus far
Iran fired two missiles within the course of Cyprus, the place the UK have army bases.
Defence Secretary John Healey mentioned that Cyprus was not Iran’s goal.
The International Workplace has not banned journey to or from Cyprus, however has cautioned Brits in regards to the heightened threat of regional tensions and attainable outcomes.
6 days in the past18:07 Holly Kintuka
Recommendation on the best way to put together for a disaster
With uncertainty looming throughout the Center East, FCDO has suggested British nationals to “take smart precautions”, together with making ready themselves for a possible disaster.
In line with FCDO, British nationals in disaster ought to:
Attempt to keep in contact with your loved ones and pals: inform them in case you are protected or for those who need assistance Contact your airline or tour operator, and insurer Discover out the emergency procedures for the place you’re staying (for instance, rented lodging or resort) determine whether or not to go away the nation, if it’s protected to take action, particularly throughout civil or political unrest. For those who determine to remain, we are able to’t assure we will assist you Verify and observe FCDO Journey Recommendation and subscribe to electronic mail alerts for updates observe the recommendation of the native authorities Train warning, avoiding crowds, demonstrations or massive gatherings
6 days in the past17:07 Holly Kintuka
President Christodoulides speaks to leaders throughout the Center East.
President Nikos Christodulides has spoken to a number of leaders throughout the Center East relating to escalating tensions throughout the area.
The president shared a sequence of posts on X, previously Twitter, briefly explaining the content material of conversations he has had right this moment with His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani of the State of Qatar, HM King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and HM the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
Talked with HM the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, expressing full solidarity within the face of indiscriminate assaults. We’ll proceed participating intently with our regional companions, dedicated to de-escalation and upholding safety and stability in our area.
u2014 NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) March 1, 2026
6 days in the past16:33 Holly Kintuka
Brits in Cyprus urged to enroll to FCDO alerts
The International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace (FCDO) has suggested British nationals in Cyprus to enroll to FCDO Journey Recommendation electronic mail alerts, stating that “there’s a heightened threat of regional stress” that might end in journey disruption and “different unanticipated impacts”.
It has been reported that 48 flights have been cancelled thus far resulting from growing tensions throughout the Center East.
Hermes Airports, which manages and controls Cyprus’s Larnaka Worldwide and Pafos Worldwide Airports, has introduced that “a number of flights are being affected” and urges passengers to contact their airline or journey brokers straight.
A spokesperson for the operator informed native media that 36 flights have been cancelled at Larnaca Airport and 12 at Paphos Airport.
6 days in the past15:26 Holly Kintuka
President Nikos Christodoulides requires an emergency assembly
Cyprus’s President Nikos Christodoulides has referred to as for an emergency assembly of Cyprus’s Nationwide Safety Council on Sunday night.
The assembly will give attention to the federal government’s shut analysis of what’s taking place throughout the area, as two Iranian missiles have been launched in the direction of Cyprus’s course.
6 days in the past14:21 Sarah Barltrop
Cyprus says it isn’t below risk
The Authorities spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus mentioned the nation just isn’t below risk in any respect.
In a press release launched on X, Mr Konstantinos Letymbiotis mentioned: “In relation to statements and media reviews referring to the launch of missiles in the direction of the course of Cyprus, it’s clarified that this isn’t the case and there’s no indication in any way that any risk to the nation has occurred.
“The competent authorities are intently monitoring the scenario on a steady foundation.”
(Picture: Getty)
The International Workplace has steering for Brits on what to do if they’re caught up in a disaster whereas overseas.
Listed below are a few of its suggestions:
– Be sure that your employer has your subsequent of kin’s particulars in case of an emergency.
– Hold your passport and visas up-to-date and protected. Throughout a disaster, native UK passport or visa providers could also be restricted or closed.
– Be sure that your car has gas.
– Think about making ready an emergency package. This might embody medical provides like a primary support package, or particular prescription remedy that you simply require. It additionally advisable preserving a torch, batteries, and entry to a number of days’ provide of meals and water.
– Have a private emergency plan that doesn’t depend on the UK authorities.
It added: “You must word that in a disaster scenario the UK authorities won’t be able to give you recommendation particular to your scenario and you will have to make your personal selections, for instance to guage the dangers on whether or not or to not go away the place you’re staying. Selections on journey inside or out of a rustic in disaster will likely be at your personal threat.”
– Be ready in case you might want to go away rapidly, together with a seize bag.
6 days in the past13:20 Sarah Barltrop
Starmer confirms ‘Cyprus not a goal’
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides mentioned Keir Starmer has referred to as to verify “clearly and unequivocally” that Cyprus was not a goal.
The UK Defence Secretary said that two Iranian missiles have been fired in the direction of Cyprus, the place UK army bases are positioned.
A Cyprus authorities spokesperson denied this, saying there may be “no indication that there was a risk to the nation”.
6 days in the past13:10 Sarah Barltrop
Overview of this morning’s occasions
– A missile was fired close to Cyprus, the place UK army bases are positioned. It hit the water.
– The UK Defence Secretary mentioned the nation might not have “essentially” been the goal.
– The International Workplace has not suggested towards journey to Cyprus.
– The FCDO does state that there’s a “heightened threat of regional stress” in Cyprus and that escalation might result in journey disruption.
– It states that British nationals ought to take “smart precautions”.
6 days in the past12:52 Sarah Barltrop
Regional journey recommendation from International Workplace
The UK authorities has not suggested towards journey to Cyprus. Nonetheless, FCDO recommendation is in place for sure areas.
6 days in the past11:31 Sarah Barltrop
Missiles fired close to Cyrus
Britain’s defence secretary has confirmed that two missiles from Iran have been fired within the course of Cyprus this morning, the place army bases are positioned.
John Healey mentioned “we’re fairly certain they [Iran’s missiles] weren’t focused at our bases”, however he added that “it exhibits how indiscriminate” the Iranian retaliation is.
6 days in the past11:29 Sarah Barltrop
International Workplace recommendation for Cyprus
The International Workplace states that there’s a threat in Cyprus.
Its newest recommendation states: “There’s a heightened threat of regional stress. Escalation might result in journey disruption and different unanticipated impacts.
“British nationals ought to take smart precautions, contemplating their very own particular person circumstances”
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