EXPLOSIONS rocked an RAF base in Cyprus last night in a suspected Iranian drone attack.
The blasts hit RAF Akrotiri, home to thousands of Brit airmen and their families, at around midnight.
Air sirens were activated and RAF Typhoons and F-35B Lightning jets were scrambled alongside air to air refuelling tankers.
A base source told The Sun at least one drone hit a runway shortly before midnight, adding: “There is damage to the airfield.”
Several other missiles, fired either by Iran or one of its proxy groups, were reportedly intercepted by Top Guns in RAF Typhoon jets who scrambled as the attack unfolded.
Thousands of personnel, contractors and their families were warned to take cover.
An alert seen by The Sun said: “There is an ongoing security threat.
“Please return to your homes and stay inside until further notice.”
It added: “Move away from windows and take cover behind or beneath substantial, solid furniture.
“Please await further instructions.”
Deafening air raid sirens last night continued to blare over the airbase amid fears up to seven more missiles were inbound.
It was unclear where they were fired from, but a base source said troops believed the launch sites may have been in Lebanon.
The attack came just hours after Sir Keir Starmer joined the blitz on Iran by allowing the US military to use British airbases to stop “appalling” missile and drone strikes on allies in the Middle East.
In a video shared on social media, the Prime Minister said: “The US has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request – to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk and hitting countries that have not been involved.”
The base is home to more than 800 military personnel and over 3,000 contractors and families.
It was used as a launch pad for air strikes on Yemen, Iraq and Syria and Special Forces spy planes based there to scour Gaza for signs of hostages after the Oct 7 Hamas terror attacks.
Typhoon jets based Akrotiri shot down multiple Iranian drones fired at Israel in April 2024.
The British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus also host a major spy hub that intercepts signals intelligence from across the region.
And some 1200 British soldiers are also stationed across the Island.
Russian electronic warfare jammers have repeatedly targeted RAF planes.
And defence insiders raised fears that suspected Russian saboteurs had been buying up properties near the base.
Yesterday, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that two Iranian missiles fired toward Cyprus were intercepted but not aimed at the island.
He told Sky News: “We had two missiles fired in the direction of Cyprus.
“We don’t believe they were targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless, it’s an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region, and that requires us to act.”
President Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis all firmly rejected the claim.
Letymbiotis was the first to respond, stating unequivocally that “this is not the case and there is no indication whatsoever that the country was under threat.”
Palmas followed with a statement on social media, saying he “categorically denies” the assertion made by Healey.
Christodoulides subsequently revealed that he had spoken directly by telephone with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who “confirmed clearly and unequivocally that Cyprus was not a target.”
RAF Akrotiri stands as a vital strategic airbase in the eastern Mediterranean, supporting UK and allied operations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Home to more than 800 military personnel, it was used as a launch pad for air strikes on Yemen, Iraq and Syria, and Special Forces spy planes used to scour Gaza for signs of hostages after the Oct 7 Hamas terror attacks.
The British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus also host a major spy hub that intercepts signals intelligence from across the region.
Russian electronic warfare jammers have repeatedly targeted RAF planes.
Defence insiders raised fears that suspected Russian saboteurs had been buying up properties near the base.
“Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
“Our 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.”
