Kaynak, Reuters
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- Yazan, Cachella Smith
- Unvan, BBC News
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Okuma süresi 3 dk
Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti, adadaki İngiliz askeri üssüne yapılan insansız hava aracı saldırısının ardından Londra’yı eleştirdi.
The incident, occurring against a backdrop of heightened regional instability, has prompted a review of security measures at the British base.
Cyprus’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr. Kiryakos Kouros, stated that Nicosia was “disappointed” with the level of information sharing from London, in an appearance on the BBC’s Newsnight program.
When asked if people felt protected by the UK, the ambassador responded, “Let’s just say people were disappointed. They were frightened and they expected more.”
Dr. Kouros acknowledged that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had thanked Cyprus for raising its concerns, adding, “I would like to observe more.”
British Defence Secretary John Healey is visiting the island today.
Following a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart, Vasilis Palmas, Healey posted on X that they had discussed strengthening the UK’s air defense systems and addressing joint security.
Prime Minister Starmer announced on March 5th that the UK would be sending Wildcat helicopters, capable of countering unmanned aerial vehicles, to Cyprus.
Starmer stated the helicopters would arrive in Cyprus on March 6th.
The Prime Minister too announced that HMS Dragon warship would be deployed to the Mediterranean.
Spain Sending Frigate to Cyprus
Meanwhile, Spain has announced it will dispatch its most advanced frigate, the Cristobal Colon, to assist in the protection of Cyprus.
Madrid is under intense pressure from Washington to allow the use of its bases for potential attacks on Iran. Threats were made in the realm of trade by US President Donald Trump.
While the White House stated on Wednesday, March 4th, that Spain had agreed to cooperate with the US military, Spain has maintained its position regarding bases and its anti-war stance.
A statement from the Spanish Ministry of Defence noted that the frigate was originally scheduled to join the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Baltic Sea, before arriving near the island of Crete around March 10th.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also stated that Italy would be sending air defense systems to Gulf countries targeted by Iranian attacks.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto further announced that his country, along with France, Spain and the Netherlands, would be sending “naval units” to Cyprus.
Kaynak, Getty Images
Defence Secretary Healey had previously stated that there were no deaths or injuries in the attack on Akrotiri, and that damage was “minimal.”
Western officials have determined that the Shahed-type drone used in the attack did not originate from Iran, but declined to provide further details on its origin.
Several other drones targeting the base were intercepted, and families of personnel stationed at the base were evacuated.
Questions are being raised as to why the UK did not deploy vessels to the region sooner.
The Royal Navy currently does not have a major warship in the Mediterranean region.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, has also called on the government to take further action.
Badenoch told the BBC, “Simply hoping our adversaries will be kind and leave us alone is not a strategy.”
