The RAF base in Cyprus was hit by a Shahed-like drone on Sunday with no casualties, as the MoD confirmed it was not launched from Iran.
The MoD has provided a significant update in the wake of the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri.
The Cyprus-based RAF facility came under attack from a one-way assault drone on Sunday at 12.03am local time (10pm GMT). Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed no casualties occurred and damage to the installation was minimal.
He characterised the incident as illustrative of the “dangerous and indiscriminate attacks” perpetrated by Iran and its proxies.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now clarified that the drone did not originate from Iran. In a statement posted on X at 5.03pm, it announced: “The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a Shahed-like drone which targeted RAF Akrotiri at midnight on 2nd March was not launched from Iran.”
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Senior Cypriot authorities stated on Monday that the assault was executed using an Iranian Shahed drone, most probably deployed by Iran-backed militant organisation Hezbollah from Lebanese territory.
Cypriot officials also indicated they believed the military base – rather than Cyprus as a whole – was the intended target. Iran and its allies have conducted missile and drone operations in response to US and Israeli strikes throughout the region.
US-Israeli military action has resulted in over 1,000 fatalities since Saturday, according to Iranian state media. The MoD also confirmed today that RAF Typhoon and F-35B jets have continued “defensive air operations”, supported by Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, “in defence of British interests and allies”.
It added that over the past 24 hours the UK has resupplied air defence systems to British and allied bases in the Middle East, including UK-built air defence missiles.
The MoD also said Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters – armed with Martlet missiles capable of engaging aerial threats – are due to arrive in Cyprus in the coming days.
Two further unmanned drones heading towards the base were intercepted on Monday morning, Cypriot authorities said.
Following the drone incident, families of British service personnel were relocated from Akrotiri as a precautionary measure.
The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice, urging British nationals to take “sensible precautions” due to “heightened risk of regional tensions”.
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