Primary, pre-primary and secondary schools in villages near RAF Akrotiri will remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth announced, after an Iranian drone struck the base’s runway overnight.
The closure affects all primary and pre-primary schools in Akrotiri, Asomatos, Episcopi and Trachoni, as well as secondary schools in Episcopi and Trachoni. The measure applies to teaching staff, pupils and all other school personnel.
The overnight strike caused limited damage and no casualties. A second wave of drones heading for the base was intercepted by Cypriot authorities at around midday on Monday. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the two unmanned aerial vehicles were dealt with in time, and rejected reports that ballistic missiles had been fired towards Cyprus.
The attacks came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK had agreed to allow the United States to use its bases to strike Iranian missile storage sites and launchers — a decision Iran appears to have treated as grounds for retaliation. Paphos airport was also evacuated earlier on Monday after a suspect object was picked up on radar.
Despite the incidents, Letymbiotis insisted Cyprus itself was not a target. “What is confirmed is that the Republic of Cyprus was not a target and has never been a target — the target was the British Bases at Akrotiri,” he said.
Greece has deployed two navy frigates and a pair of F-16 jets to Cyprus as a precautionary measure, following a telephone call between President Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The frigates include the Kimon, which carries the Kentauros anti-drone system. France is expected to provide similar assistance following a call between Christodoulides and President Macron.
Cyprus’s air defence system is fully operational, Letymbiotis said, and the country’s airspace remains open. The National Security Council is in continuous session with all contingency plans activated.
Residents were urged to remain calm.
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