A geo-political lifeline: What are the Sovereign Base Areas and why are they in Cyprus?

The drone strike at RAF Akrotiri and the wider US-Iran War have put a new strain on the relationship between Britain and the Republic of Cyprus.

Cypriot politicians have raised concerns about the bases since the attack, reigniting a decades-old debate.

However, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns recently told the Commons "Our sovereign base in Cyprus isn't in question", and the British-Cypriot "relationship is closer now than ever before".

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So, what are the Sovereign Base Areas and why are they in Cyprus?

A short history of Britain in Cyprus

For thousands of years, Cyprus has been colonised by growing and shrinking empires.

The British were only the most recent in a long list after taking control of the island in 1878.

During the 1950s, the Greek Cypriot guerrilla organisation EOKA fought the British for independence and unification with Greece.

Cypriots won their independence in 1960, and the Republic of Cyprus was created with several conditions.

A small piece for British bases

In the Treaty of Establishment signed by Britain, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, 3% or 98 square miles of land was kept by the United Kingdom.

Western and Eastern Sovereign Base Areas were created in Akrotiri and Dhekelia for military use with police and customs agencies, but no hard border with Cyprus.

Unlike other British Overseas Territories, the SBAs are governed by the Ministry of Defence, not the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commander British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is a two-star rank, currently held by Major General Tom Bewick, and Administrator of the Sovereign Base Area Administration overseeing 8,000 personnel and families.

Royal Air Force Akrotiri and a gateway to the world

In the declining days of British rule, a new Royal Air Force base was built on the Akrotiri peninsula.

RAF Akrotiri has been used as a forward-mounting base for operations and evacuations in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe since 1955.

As Britain's most important overseas airbase, F-35B fighter jets and Voyager refuelling tankers are deployed to RAF Akrotiri.

More than 3,500 personnel and their families live behind the wire.

British Army battalions on standby

Two British Army Battalions are permanently stationed in Cyprus on opposite ends of the island, with each rotating every two years.

In the Western Sovereign Base Area, 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is stationed at Episkopi Garrison with British Forces Cyprus HQ and, in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is based at Alexander Barracks in Dhekelia.

While tasked with protecting BFC sites, a single company of around 120 soldiers is also kept at High Readiness as the Regional Operations Battalion.

Britain and Cyprus's historic friendship

While the attack at RAF Akrotiri puts the spotlight on Britain's bases, the two countries are close allies.

British Armed Forces exercise with the Cypriot National Guard regularly, sharing skills and training, plus aerial firefighting together during the summer.

Through the United Nations, British peacekeepers patrol the Green Line buffer zone separating the unrecognised Turkish north and the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia.

Thousands of Cypriots live within the UK territories, and a very large community of British expats are spread across the island.