The British Bases announced Monday morning they are evacuating non-essential personnel from RAF Akrotiri as a temporary measure following the impact of a drone on the base last night, adding they do not believe the dispersal of the wider community at Akrotiri village is necessary.
In a recorded message to the public, President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed this morning that the RAF Akrotiri Base was hit by a Shahed drone three minutes after midnight. No injuries have been reported as of yet.
A resident of the area told CNA that an explosion was heard, followed by aircraft taking off from the British Bases, while the Bases Police proceeded to block the roads leading towards Akrotiri.
According to Kourion Mayor Pantelis Georgiou, speaking to CNA, a large number of civilian residents of the area left their homes, with some spending the night at the Limassol Army training base for recruits, following instructions from President Christodoulides.
In a post on social media, the British Bases said, “As a precautionary measure, a temporary dispersal of non-essential personnel based at RAF Akrotiri is being planned.”
It then addressed the issue of a wider evacuation from the peninsular.
“We understand in the wider British Bases community that people are concerned and that some residents have decided to leave Akrotiri village. Whilst we appreciate people may be worried, we do not believe this is necessary and temporary dispersal only applies to RAF Akrotiri Station.”
Workplaces, businesses and facilities at all other Bases area locations (Episkopi, Dhekelia, Ayios Nikolaos) “will remain open as normal and there are no restrictrions in place,” said the statement.
Following the impact of the drone last night, the Bases issued an announcement advising residents of Akrotiri village “to shelter in place until further notice”.
“The force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people. This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course,” said the statement.
A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence also confirmed the strike, stressing that the British armed forces responded to a strike at Akrotiri. No reference was made, however, to injuries or to the extent of the damage caused.
Shortly before the attack, British military personnel serving at the Akrotiri Base were electronically informed that a strike was imminent and were asked to remain safe indoors with their families.
Schools in area closed
Meanwhile, schools on camp at Akrotiri and Episkopi are closed for the day while the Education Ministry of the Cyprus Republic stated that, as a precautionary measure, all primary and secondary schools in the areas of Trachoni and Episkopi will remain closed, while primary schools in Akrotiri and Asomatos will also be closed.
According to the same information, parents who have already dropped their children at school premises may pick them up while for pupils whose parents are unable to do so, the children will remain at the schools under the supervision of teachers until further notice.