Anger in Cyprus over UK bases as US-Israel war with Iran endangers island

"The bases are a remnant of the colonial and imperialist empire of Britain. To me, Cyprus was never truly decolonised. The bases, which are not part of any lease agreement benefitting the island economically, have served as launch points for British military operations in the Middle East."

"The United Kingdom frames the bases as there for protection when, in fact, they're really here to spy on the Middle East; when planes take off, people know they're going to a warzone or sharing intelligence for a mission."

"Demonstrations erupted after a suspected Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri earlier this week, two days after US-Israeli attacks on Iran began. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also allowed the US to use British bases for defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites, a move that has intensified debate in Cyprus."

Protests have erupted in Cyprus following a suspected Iranian drone attack on RAF Akrotiri, with demonstrators demanding the removal of British military bases from the island. The UK maintains two sovereign base areas—Akrotiri and Dhekelia—established since Cyprus's independence in 1960. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized US use of British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites, intensifying local opposition. Many Cypriots view the bases as colonial remnants that compromise the island's sovereignty and lack economic benefit. The bases have historically served as launch points for British military operations across the Middle East, including Iraq, Libya, and Gaza, with recent surveillance flights supporting Israeli operations.

Read at www.aljazeera.com