A security incident at the UK Sovereign Base Area in Akrotiri, Cyprus, has ended and movement restrictions have been lifted, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
Cypriot government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said authorities had investigated information indicating a suspected object was on course for the Bases, but nothing was found and the alert was called off. The final trajectory was not towards the Bases, he said, adding that there was no incident.
Residents of Akrotiri had been ordered to stay inside their homes and take cover after authorities warned of an ongoing security threat earlier in the day. The alert, issued at 12:22, instructed residents to remain in place until further official notification and to move away from windows and shelter behind or under sturdy furniture.
The incident unfolded while British defence secretary John Healey was visiting Cyprus. Healey had earlier met Cypriot defence minister Vasilis Palmas to discuss the security situation in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation on crisis management. Healey said Britain was further reinforcing air defences in Cyprus in the face of Iranian threats.
Authorities gave no further details about the nature of the threat.
