Iranian drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus launched from Lebanon
British air base in Cyprus attacked by drone from Beirut (Photo: KitasWeather/Handout via REUTERS)
An Iranian Shahed drone that struck the British RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus was launched from Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, The Associated Press reported, citing a Cypriot official on March 5.
One official from the country confirmed that the drone that damaged a hangar at RAF Akrotiri air base had flown from Lebanon.
The official asked not to be named because he was not authorized to publicly comment on the attack, the Associated Press reported.
Overnight into March 2, a drone attacked the British air base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. No casualties were reported. The base sustained “minor damage.”
On the same day, Greece sent frigates and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Cyprus. It was also reported that, following the previous attack, families of military personnel from the base were temporarily relocated for security reasons.
On March 3, Clash Reports said that debris from an Iranian Shahed-136 drone that attacked the British air base in Cyprus may have contained elements of the Russian protected CRPA antenna Kometa-M, which is used on Russian drones and missiles.
U.S. and Israeli operation against Iran
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States announced strikes on Iran as part of operations dubbed Roar of the Lion (Israel) and Epic Fury (United States).
Multiple explosions were reported in Tehran and several other major Iranian cities. The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack on his residence, which was completely destroyed. The death of Mohammad Pakpour, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was also confirmed. According to the IRNA news agency, Ali Shamkhani, the Iranian supreme leader’s chief security adviser, was also killed in the strike.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel. Iranian missiles and drones also targeted U.S. military bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Multiple explosions were reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Israel responded by striking Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon.
On March 1, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iranian leaders wanted to resume negotiations and that he had agreed, but he did not specify a timeline. According to the White House, 48 leaders of the Iranian regime were killed during Operation Epic Fury.
Trump said the U.S. war with Iran would last about four weeks. The U.S. Armed Forces said four American service members were killed during the operation against Iran.
On March 2, Ali Larijani, a representative of the late ayatollah in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran would not negotiate with the United States.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
