‘No threat identified’ in overnight alarm in Akrotiri
The sounding of sirens and the activation of relevant security protocols at the British air force base Akrotiri overnight were precautionary measures, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on late Wednesday night.
“We clarify that no threat has been identified,” he wrote in a post on X.
Several media outlets reported that an alarm was triggered at around 11pm in the area surrounding the bases, lasting around 15 to 20 minutes before it was called off.
Letymbiotis stated that once it was confirmed that no threat existed, the alarm was deactivated.
“The competent authorities continue to closely monitor the situation within the framework of established procedures,” he said.
Akrotiri was targeted overnight from Sunday to Monday in a drone attack attributed to Iranian-backed Hezbollah, causing minor material damage, while two additional drones were intercepted later on Monday.
The United Kingdom is currently preparing to deploy a warship to Cyprus to shield the Akrotiri base. According to BBC reports on Wednesday, the vessel is not expected to depart for the island until next week.
Meanwhile, Nato air defences on Wednesday neutralised an Iranian ballistic missile on course for the Turkish airspace. The event marked the first direct engagement of the alliance in the current Iran war and has raised concerns that hostilities could expand to other NATO member states.
Since the island came into the spotlight of the conflict over the previous weekend, the government has maintained the stance that Cyprus is not a target, while stressing that it remains fully prepared for any eventualities.