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UK Defence Secretary meets Cypriot counterpart amid security concerns
Defence Secretary John Healey held talks with his Cypriot counterpart, Vasilis Palmas, on Thursday to address growing concerns over the UK's response to recent drone strikes targeting the RAF base in Cyprus. The meeting followed sharp criticism from Cypriot officials and local residents over perceived delays in sharing information after Sunday's attack.
Criticism over UK response and preparedness
Cyprus's High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Kyriacos Kouros, told the BBC that Cypriots felt "disappointed" by the lack of transparency following the strike, which caused minimal damage and no casualties. Downing Street dismissed suggestions that the UK lacked sufficient military assets in the Middle East, insisting that defensive measures had been in place since January.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasised the UK's commitment to protecting the island, stating: "We pre-deployed further assets to Cyprus in January and February for that purpose, and we're bolstering that." He added that every necessary measure was being taken to safeguard both Cypriot civilians and the airbase.
Military reinforcements and regional tensions
The UK is deploying the air-defence-equipped warship HMS Dragon to Cyprus, though it will not arrive until next week. When questioned about the delay, Starmer's spokesman defended the timeline, stating that operational decisions were "kept under review."
Reports suggested the UK's decision to reinforce the region came weeks after an initial US request to use British bases for strikes against Iran. The government confirmed that defensive assets, including radar systems, F-35 jets in Cyprus, and Typhoons in Qatar, had been deployed since January.
"There are indications this is a crisis not of days but of weeks and possibly months,"
Minister Hamish Falconer, addressing the Commons
Falconer urged Iran to halt its "reckless" strikes, while Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel warned that Britain "cannot sit on the fence" when allies face attacks.
Political reactions and allied concerns
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch argued that the UK had become entangled in the conflict after the base was targeted, stating: "Once our bases had been attacked, I think we became part of this, whether we liked it or not." She also warned that allies perceived the UK as "abandoning them," citing public criticism from Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.
US President Donald Trump previously criticised Starmer's initial refusal to allow US strikes from British bases, though the UK later permitted their use for "defensive" operations. Meanwhile, France has positioned a warship off Cyprus, and Spain plans to deploy a frigate to the eastern Mediterranean next week.
Drone attack details and ongoing security measures
Western officials confirmed that the drone responsible for the strike was a Shahed-type model but did not originate from Iran. British military assessments suggest Hezbollah in Lebanon launched the attack. Additional drones were intercepted, prompting the temporary relocation of military families from the base.
Kouros acknowledged Starmer's attention to Cypriot concerns but urged further action, stating: "The people are disappointed, the people are scared, the people could expect more." Home Office minister Alex Norris reaffirmed the UK's resolve to protect national interests, emphasising collaboration with Cyprus.
Evacuation delays and regional instability
A chartered flight intended to repatriate British nationals from the region was delayed in Oman due to technical issues, remaining grounded on Thursday. Commercial airlines have stepped in to facilitate returns, as the Foreign Office works to address the logistical challenges.
The UK government has warned that the Middle East crisis could persist for months, with Starmer prioritising the protection of British citizens as tensions escalate.
