A second airstrike has taken place on a British military base in Cyprus, according to the Cypriot government.
Two unmanned drones heading for RAF Akrotiri have been “successfully intercepted”, a government spokesman said, Sky News reports.
Around noon, air raid sirens sounded at the base, which was attacked by Iranian drones targeting the runway overnight.
The British base has been evacuated, as has Paphos airport. A message sent to employees warned of an “ongoing security threat” and urged people to return home and stay indoors until further notice. “Stay away from windows and take shelter behind or under sturdy furniture. Please wait for further instructions,” the alert said.
According to information received, the Cypriot interior minister has instructed the mayor of Kourion, near the UK base, to proceed with a mandatory evacuation. Meanwhile, Cypriot media reports that an alert was raised at Paphos Airport after a suspected drone was detected in its airspace.
Earlier, the British Foreign Office said the drone that struck the military base in the early hours of the morning had headed for the airport’s runway.
Greece sends two frigates and F16 to Cyprus
By decision of the KYSEA (Government Council for National Security), the unified defense doctrine of Greece and Cyprus has been activated, after two attacks on the island.
Greece is sending two frigates to Cyprus (one is Kimonas) and two F16s, while Nikos Dendias will also go to the island tomorrow.
