Drone attack on Cyprus British military base, Europe on edge

A British military base in Cyprus was reportedly attacked by drones allegedly manufactured by Iran from midnight on the 1st to the early morning of the 2nd, raising concerns among European countries. EU member states Greece and France intervened in succession. On the 2nd, Greece sent two F-16 fighter jets and two frigates to Cyprus. According to reports from the Cyprus News Agency on the 3rd, France plans to deliver missile defense systems, anti-drone systems, and a frigate to this Mediterranean island nation.

According to a statement from the Cypriot government on the 2nd, a drone attacked the British Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus, causing "limited damage." Hours later, two other drones heading towards the base were intercepted.

The attack did not result in casualties but occurred amid escalating turmoil in the Middle East due to joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. Additionally, media reports from Reuters and others indicated that the first attacking drone was "Iranian-made and came from the direction of Lebanon," which heightened concerns among European nations.

The British side confirmed that British forces in the Middle East are participating in "defensive military actions" against Iran, such as shooting down incoming drones and missiles. However, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in Parliament on the 2nd that while the UK agrees to the use of British military bases for "specific, limited defensive purposes," this does not include the British military base in Cyprus, as it is "inappropriate." At the request of the Cypriot side, the British military base in Cyprus will only be used for "humanitarian purposes."

Cyprus is an eastern Mediterranean island nation that serves as a strategic point between Europe, Asia, and Africa, with long-standing tensions between its Greek and Turkish communities. Britain implemented colonial rule over Cyprus starting in 1878 until the latter gained independence in 1960. Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. The UK, Greece, and Turkey have military forces stationed in Cyprus. The United Nations has long maintained peacekeeping forces in Cyprus and has repeatedly mediated between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities for unification talks.

Cyprus currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. The EU had originally scheduled a meeting of culture ministers in the country on March 5 and 6, but it was postponed due to the US and Israel's actions against Iran; another EU ministerial meeting scheduled for the 2nd and 3rd has also been canceled due to concerns over regional security and disrupted flight operations. Since February 28, a large number of international flights to and from the region have been canceled, leaving many travelers stranded.

Among the two frigates sent by Greece to Cyprus, one is equipped with Greece's domestically developed "Centaur" anti-drone system. According to Reuters, this system was previously used to respond to attacks on foreign vessels by the Houthi armed group in Yemen. Sources from the Cypriot defense department stated that the system can monitor and incapacitate low-flying drones. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stated to the media on the 2nd that Greece will "spare no available means" to defend Cyprus.

The Cyprus News Agency reported that French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Cypriot President Christodoulides early on the 3rd, expressing France's intention to provide military support.

In Germany, after the attack on the British military base in Cyprus, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was asked by German media whether NATO countries would be targeted if the conflict involving Iran escalates. She stated, "It cannot be denied that this danger indeed exists." She reiterated that Germany does not participate in any direct military confrontation and "is not prepared to use its military facilities for that purpose," calling for a resolution through negotiation After the United States launched a large-scale military strike against Iran, the German government has indicated that it will "not participate in the war," but "reserves the right to take military defensive measures." Wadfuer stated in an interview with German radio that he interprets this as "if attacked, German soldiers will take self-defense measures." According to the German Ministry of Defense, there are currently more than 500 soldiers stationed in the Middle East, including over 200 in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Source: Xinhua News Agency