Nicosia, Cyprus. Hundreds of activists gathered in central Nicosia on Saturday to peacefully protest the presence of the British bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia amid the ongoing war against Iran.
March route and demonstrations
The protest march stretched from the Pasydy union building to the Presidential Palace in Strovolos. Participants carried banners reading “Cyprus is not your launchpad” and “British Bases out,” and staged a die-in performance outside the presidential palace.
Organisers’ statements
Political group and organiser Afoa said the use of the British Bases by Western troops had turned the bases, surrounding areas, and the country’s critical infrastructure into a military target.
Afoa accused the bases of using a narrative of protection for promotion purposes, which it said intensified the “already existing militarisation” of social and political life on the island.
“As the regional war spreads to many countries, the role of Cyprus in the imperialist plans deepens, putting the inhabitants and people of Cyprus as a whole on a dangerous and destructive path,” the group said.
Demands and supporters
The group called on the government to “withdraw support for the imperialists,” said Cyprus must not be involved in the war, and called for the full abolition of the bases.
“We support all the voices and political forces here, in our wider region, in Europe and globally that resist war and promote cooperation between peoples and peace,” the group said, adding, “we do not accept Cyprus to be a base of war.”
The march was also supported by BDS Cyprus, Cyprus Palestine Solidarity Action Far Right Watch CY, Genocide Free Cyprus, Queer Collective and United for Palestine.
What do you think the Cypriot government should do in response to calls to abolish the British bases?
