The foreign minister of Cyprus told Sky News that British bases are the target of military action, not his country, as he expressed his “dissatisfaction” with the UK’s response to the Iran war.
The country’s foreign minister, Constantinos Kombos, welcomed the deployment of additional UK forces but said the deployment of assets to the country was coming “from the EU primarily”.
The support of Greece, France and Spain was highlighted by Mr Kombos in an interview with Sky News, as he explained how the country was “creating a collective shield”.
“The UK has deployed its own forces; we are waiting for them to be incorporated into the system,” he said.
He also reminded the British government of its “responsibilities in relation to its bases”, stressing that it was not Cyprus being targeted, but British bases on the island.
“Right now, what matters is we get through this crisis.
Defence secretary twice declines to rule out Britain joining strikes on Iran
UK terror threat ‘absolutely’ under review after Iran strikes, defence secretary says
Turkey faces ‘truly great disaster’, warns Erdogan amid raging wildfires and sweltering temperatures across Europe
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
“After this crisis ends, hopefully we will be able to reflect… and see what happened and what could have happened,” Mr Kombos said.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Sky News’ Mornings With Ridge and Frost on Monday that the RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus had been hit by a one-way attack drone.
The strike hit the airport’s runway in an attack which Mr Kombos said didn’t cause “any real damage”.
Read more from:
Royal Navy’s destroyer will arrive too late for Cyprus
Panic in Beirut as Israeli rhetoric sparks fears of all-out war
On Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the UK’s military response in the run-up to and aftermath of US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, that killed the country’s leader.
Six RAF F35 jets were sent before the war started to reinforce the eight Typhoons permanently stationed in Cyprus.
Since then, ground-based, short-range air defences have also been deployed, and Wildcat helicopters, which have the capability to detect drones, are due to arrive in Cyprus over the weekend.
The UK is also deploying HMS Dragon, a Type 45 air defence destroyer, to Cyprus. Though it won’t arrive in the region till next week.
Mr Starmer also announced on Thursday that four additional Typhoons would be deployed to Qatar as strikes against Iran by US and Israeli forces continue.
