British authorities are investigating the origin of the drone that struck the UK’s Akrotiri air base shortly after midnight, the Cypriot government said Monday.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis told CyBC radio that there is no official information confirming reports of a second drone being intercepted, nor any verification from the British bases themselves.
Asked about media claims of U.S. military aircraft operating from Akrotiri, Letymbiotis said the government has received no such briefing. He added that a recent statement by the British prime minister on potential U.S. use of UK bases did not specify whether this referred to facilities in Cyprus.
A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the strike, saying British forces “responded to an incident” at Akrotiri. No injuries or details on the extent of the damage were provided.
Shortly before the attack, British personnel stationed at the base received electronic alerts warning of a possible strike and were instructed to remain indoors with their families.
According to CyBC reporting, the distance involved suggests the drone was unlikely to have been launched from Iranian territory. Early indications point to a possible link with Hezbollah, whose attacks in the region coincided with the timing of the strike.