Airbase evacuations begin after RAF Akrotiri airfield hit with drone attack
Non-essential personnel, including families and partners, are being asked to leave Britain's busiest overseas airbase after its runway was hit by a one-way attack drone.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a single explosion heard shortly after midnight at RAF Akrotiri was a drone strike.
It added that there were no casualties and that minimal damage had been caused, with ministers identifying that the runway had been hit.
Regarding the evacuation, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The safety of our personnel and their families is our absolute priority.
"As a precautionary measure, we are moving family members who live at RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation nearby on the island of Cyprus."
Families are being asked to pack a bag and report to a designated area when instructed.
"Our base and personnel continue to operate as normal, protecting the safety of Britain and our interests," said the MOD.
An air raid siren began sounding at the RAF base in Cyprus at around midnight local time on Sunday, lasting for several hours.
The attack came soon after the UK announced it would allow the US to use bases to strike missile sites in Iran.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously ruled out allowing the Americans to use UK bases for operations against their adversary in the Middle East.
The MOD says force protection in the region is at the "highest level" and the base "responded to defend our people".
The Ministry of Defence recently moved additional capabilities to RAF Akrotiri, including six F-35B fighter jets, radar, counter-drone systems and ground-based air defences.
Around 4,000 personnel and their families live at RAF Akrotiri.
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