Reports circulating on social media late this evening claim there has been an impact or explosion caused by Iranian weaponry at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Posts from multiple , independent open source accounts suggested a possible drone strike, with one stating there were “reports of an impact at British Akrotiri Air Force base in Limassol, Cyprus,” while another referenced “early reports now coming in of an explosion at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus amidst reports of a possible drone strike by Iran.”
Separately, local outlet Cyprus Mail reported previously that a “security threat” was declared at the British. According to the publication, personnel were instructed to “return to your homes and stay inside until further notice” and to “move away from windows and take cover behind or beneath substantial, solid furniture” while awaiting further guidance.
At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation of any strike or explosion at the base, we’re currently reviewing footage but have been so far unable to verify the authenticity of the footage so have chosen not to present it here.
RAF Akrotiri is located within the UK’s Western Sovereign Base Area on the southern coast of Cyprus and serves as a key hub for British air operations in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
UK Defence Journal has approached the Ministry of Defence for comment and clarification.
Sky Sabre needs to be deployed to Akrotiri ASAP.
USN Ford CSG is nearby with A.B’s BMD capability.
I’m usually fairly balanced, but if true, these are major failings by the government. A destroyer needs to be sent, and Sky Sabre needs to be flown in to cover the base until the destroyer arrives.
Starmer made the right call in not participating in the initial strikes. He made the wrong call in believing that made them immune to Iranian retaliation. There should have been preparation.
Starmer loves Islam, no defense for raf personal just or go home or get under the table is fucking crazy.
More bot/troll bs. As if we don’t have enough to wade our way through, we really don’t need manipulations of this sort stirring up ignorant bigotry.
Totally agree Leh, but as we know with Starmer it’s far more talk with him than action, hardly the man of the moment is he, perhaps he’s waiting for the DIP before making a decision.
I agree we should send a destroyer at least as far as Cyprus. Is Lancaster still useable in an emergency? Is Richmond? We have no idea how long this will last of how far we might be dragged in. I’d hope the MOD was readying every reasonable contingency.
Indeed I fear we will be dragged in a lot further as will others. What’s the bet Trump will use ‘war’ to delay or cancel the mid terms, he’s an increasingly desperate man despite the big talk. Great idea sitting on defence spending Keir.
If this was an Iranian attack The UK now must strike Iranian targets no iffs no buts.. it should be a clear offence action hitting the Iranian military.. preferably with storm shadow.
The UK should now be in discussion to enact article 5.
This would be the time to show an attack on a NATO nation with the article 6 area will get an article 5 response.. Russia is watching the UK and Europe.. sadly it’s now our war as well.
Is there a problem though in that the UK had just given permission for the US to use British bases for defensive strikes on Iran? Or that British Typhoons were already shooting down Iranian munitions?
I can see plenty of NATO members choosing to stay out of this by suggesting the UK was already involved militarily.
The French and the Germans seem onboard though, for what it’s worth. I can imagine the Greeks and Turks getting involved too.
I wonder if there’s a Bay to send. We always seem to want to use the Navy to evacuate civilians rather than actually attack.
Only send a Bay if a destroyer goes with it.
Well let’s get a clearer understanding of what, if anything has happened here before we go all John Wayne. Getting deeply involved in a war with Iran when we need to be rearming to resist potential Russian threats is hardly something to be taken lightly after all. History won’t be kind if we get this wrong.
Just what is needed to be drawn into another illegal war, probably go just as well as the last one!
Could go a lot worse.
False alarm, It was just a Black Backed Gull taking a dump.