Cyprus rebukes UK – again

In an interview with BBC Newsnight, the Cypriot government have challenged the UK government’s response to drone strikes on the airbase on Monday 2nd March. The drone attack targeted an RAF base in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, a couple of days after US-Israel’s initial strikes on Iran on Saturday.

The base has long faced scrutiny for its involvement in Israel’s genocide on Gaza. Now it appears to be at odds with the British government, as Healey scrambles to address the collateral damage borne as a result of the US and Israel waging an illegal war of aggression on Iran.

Cyprus: “Disappointed”

Cypriot High Commissioner to the UK Dr Kyriacos Kouros spoke to BBC Newsnight and said Cypriots were “disappointed” with the quality of information the UK government shared with residents. Kouros said people in Cyprus were left “scared” and would “expect more” from the UK, adding that he would be grateful if UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer “paid attention to their worries”.

Home Office Minister Alex Norris told the BBC today that the UK was “resolute” in its commitment to protect our interests in the region and that “significant” efforts are being put into strengthening defensive capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to the BBC:

Norris told BBC Breakfast on Thursday that defensive systems set up in the eastern Mediterranean have had a “really significant impact in recent days”.

The UK has announced that British warship HMS Dragon – which has air defence capabilities – will be deployed to Cyprus, although it is not due to sail until next week.

“We are absolutely resolute in protecting the nation’s interests – and that’s what we’re doing and we’re working of course with our partners of which Cyprus is obviously a really close one,” Norris said.

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Following the drone attack at the weekend, Cyprus was quick to criticise Starmer’s government. They even refused to rule out going back to the table in deciding how the base can be used:

UK Defence Secretary John Healey arrived in Cyprus today to meet with his counterparts and discuss potential UK air defence support:

“Strictly humanitarian role”

Our own Joe Glenton wrote about the issues being brought to surface between the UK and Cypriot counterparts. As divides are growing and consent on the island appears to be diminishing, Glenton wrote:

UK PM Keir Starmer effectively announced to parliament on 2 March that the UK would be a party to the war. He tried to insist the UK’s role would be defensive – but said the US would use British bases to hit Iran.

The UK has two bases in Cyprus at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Britain has used the bases to launch hundreds of spy flights over Gaza over the course of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians.

Letymbiotis said the UK had failed to take into account Cyprus’s wish to be a humanitarian hub. He added that the UK had communicated poorly.

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The damage inflicted is reported to be a little more than ‘minimal’, as the UK government have sought to convince the wider public. However, it also appears the attack was towards US military on the island. Simply highlighting the threat inherent in our support of the US-Israel flagrantly breaking international law:

RAF Akrotiri has long faced criticism for its use in the mass murder and suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Declassified UK’s Matt Kennard has investigated the flights from the base since the genocide began:

Careful the company you keep

This escalating military situation has a common thread weaving throughout. This can be seen in the reports of attacks on Gulf states and those against the UK military base in Cyprus. Choosing to be bedfellows with genocidal war criminals and the compromised US president have understandably made those territories fair game in the eyes of Iran.

Under international humanitarian law, Iran’s response may be valid. After all, military bases that play a direct and active role in military operations against Iran may be considered legitimate military targets. Nevertheless, any attack by Iran must still comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and necessity.

However, the British government’s spineless refusal to prioritise international law is dangerous. It cannot be understated that our stance is making us a villain on the world stage.

Therefore, it cannot be clearer: breaking ties with the US and Israel will ultimately be safer for all involved.

Featured image via the Canary