Drone strike at RAF Akrotiri sparks protests in Cyprus

On Sunday night, a suspected drone strike hit a hangar at the British RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, reportedly damaging a facility housing American U-2 spy planes. While British officials are addressing security gaps, reports suggest the attack was launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon. The incident has triggered public protests in Limassol, with demonstrators chanting for the removal of British military forces. Activists and political figures, including AKEL parliamentary candidate Melanie Steliou, argue that the UK's use of the sovereign base areas for operations against Iran has made Cyprus a target for regional conflicts. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of transparency from the UK government regarding local security risks. Critics describe the bases as a colonial remnant that limits Cypriot sovereignty, while the British government maintains its operational rights. Protesters noted that the decision to facilitate US strikes has directly endangered the civilian population living near the base. The incident has intensified long-standing political debates in Cyprus over the future of the British-controlled territories.