Akrotiri, Cyprus. A Lebanon-fired drone incident at RAF Akrotiri has renewed debate about whether the British bases make Cyprus a target, but analysts do not expect changes to the status of the Sovereign Base Areas.
Status of the Sovereign Base Areas
The Sovereign Base Areas are two parts of Cyprus—Akrotiri on the southernmost peninsula and Dhekelia in the east—covering a combined 99 square miles over which the United Kingdom exercises sovereignty. They were created by the Treaty of Establishment 1960, the agreement granting the Republic of Cyprus its independence.
Cyprus raises concerns over coordination and alerts
The Cyprus government this week complained about a lack of security coordination and communication related to last Sunday’s drone strike, which was rumoured to have targeted an American hangar at Akrotiri. Residents within the Sovereign Base Areas also complained they were not alerted.
Starmer says measures are being taken to protect Cyprus
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was “taking every measure” to protect Cyprus.
“I want to be really clear to everybody in Cyprus that we’re taking every measure that is needed to protect them, to protect the airbase, along with the other places in the region,” Starmer told a press conference at his official residence in London.
UK reinforces air defences at RAF Akrotiri
On Friday, two British AW159 Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities landed at RAF Akrotiri. British defence secretary John Healey said the helicopters would be integrated into the island’s air defence system alongside allied assets.
The deployment is part of a broader UK operation that includes the forthcoming arrival of the HMS Dragon Type 45 destroyer and previously deployed F-35 fighter jets.
Cyprus-UK talks and analyst assessment
Earlier this week, Healey met his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas, and subsequent statements suggested both sides had resolved issues in their relationship.
Associate professor at UCLan Cyprus Nasia Hadjigeorgiou said she was not sure there was real friction between Cyprus and the UK over the security incident at Akrotiri, and suggested Cyprus may have been “going through the motions” and “paying lip service.”
What do you think should change, if anything, about how Cyprus and the UK coordinate security communication after such incidents?