The RAF base was targeted in a drone attack earlier this week.
21:38, Wed, Mar 4, 2026 Updated: 22:08, Wed, Mar 4, 2026
RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone early Monday (Image: Xinhua/Shutterstock)
An alarm has rung out near RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, with staff at their base and their families urged to stay indoors and way from windows, accorsing to local broadcasters Alpha Cyprus and ERT. The alert came after a suspicious object was detected in airspace near Lebanon, prompting fighter jets to scramble from a nearby base.
One of the largest newspapers in Cyprus, Phileleftheros said loud sirens are blared in the surrounding area of the bases. Officials said the message was sent to personnel as a precaution while authorities assessed the potential threat. On Wednesday morning, two fighter jets were launched from the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos to identify and assess a suspicious object. . Trusted sources also told Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that two F-16s took off from Paphos for the purposes of "identifying and dealing" with a suspicious object. After completing their mission, the aircraft returned safely to base
On Wednesday morning, Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said a possible suspicious object had been spotted in airspace near Lebanon.
He added that, as a precaution, the relevant authorities had taken all necessary measures to investigate.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed on Wednesday evening that a drone which targeted RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus earlier this week was not launched from Iran.
The Shahed-like drone struck the British air base shortly after midnight on March 2, prompting heightened security measures and the temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel.
A statement read: "Overnight, RAF Typhoon and F-35B jets continued defensive air operations across the Middle East with support from Voyager air-to-air refuelling in defence of British interests and allies.
"The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a Shahed-like drone which targeted RAF Akrotiri at midnight on 2nd March was not launched from Iran.
*** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***
The latest news from around the world Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"In the last 24 hours, the UK has resupplied air defence systems to British and allied bases across the region – including UK-built air defence missiles.
Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters – armed with Martlet missiles capable of taking out aerial threats – will arrive in Cyprus in the coming days."