Hundreds of demonstrators marched through the divided capital of Nicosia on Saturday demanding Britain give up its military bases on the island, as tensions flare following a drone strike on a key RAF installation.

Chanting “British bases out of here,” around 300 protesters rallied outside the presidential palace, warning that the UK’s long-standing military presence risks dragging Cyprus deeper into Middle East conflicts.

Drone Strike Ignites Long-Running Dispute

The protest comes days after a drone attack hit RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain’s two sovereign base areas on the island.

The strike, reportedly linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon, has intensified concerns that Cyprus could become a frontline target as regional tensions escalate.

Cyprus’s foreign minister Constantinos Kombos acknowledged the growing unease, saying questions remain about who should control the bases and whether new talks between London and Nicosia are needed.

Protesters Say Bases Turn Island Into Target

Campaigners argue the facilities — including Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area in eastern Cyprus — effectively make the island a military launchpad.

Protest organiser Nico Panayiotou said Cyprus had been used for operations linked to wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. “We don’t want the island used as a launchpad for attacks,” he said. “Instead of protecting us, the bases put Cyprus in danger.”

Some demonstrators described the bases as a lingering symbol of colonial power dating back to Cyprus’s independence in 1960.

Chagos Decision Fuels Pressure Campaign

Activists say Britain’s decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has emboldened calls for change.

Campaigners argue the precedent shows that long-standing strategic territories can be renegotiated if political pressure mounts. Critics also questioned the credibility of Britain’s defence commitment after the warship HMS Dragon (D35) was ordered to the region but remains in maintenance in Portsmouth.

Villagers Near Base Urge Calm

Away from the protests, sentiment is more mixed near Akrotiri itself.

Local businesses that rely on the base say they still trust Britain’s military presence. Residents reported hearing the drone explosion earlier this week but say daily life has largely returned to normal.

Yet uncertainty lingers — and with regional tensions rising, Cyprus once again finds itself at the crossroads of geopolitics and local fear.

Cypriots call for Britain to leave military bases

Good move by these people to get rid of this air base.

US and UK military installations in the Middle East become lightening rods when hostilities break out in this forever war between Israel and the surrounding countries.

Why we moved away from Udon's RTAF Wing 5, and closer to Prachuap's RTAF Wing 23

We're so much safer now, when the nukes start falling 🙄

The only hope for a conclusion to the never ending conflict in and around Israel is a refusal to participate in it.

Let's hope this movement in Cyprus spreads to other countries in the region.

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Why we moved away from Udon's RTAF Wing 5, and closer to Prachuap's RTAF Wing 23

We're so much safer now, when the nukes start falling 🙄

My grandchildren live just a mile from the VOA station based near Nong Hai, Udon province and I've also spent a lot of time at Prajuap, my favourite coastal town in Thailand. 2 places I love in Thailand.

5 minutes ago, bannork said:

My grandchildren live just a mile from the VOA station based near Nong Hai, Udon province and I've also spent a lot of time at Prajuap, my favourite coastal town in Thailand. 2 places I love in Thailand.

That black site, oops, I mean small VOA station ... is a crack up. Every radio station needs to be that large with wall & security. Who would suspect anything.

Don't forget the sudden four lane road just outside the gates that runs for about a mile. Perfect for planes to land on!

1 hour ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

The only hope for a conclusion to the never ending conflict in and around Israel is a refusal to participate in it.

Let's hope this movement in Cyprus spreads to other countries in the region.

Agreed... but it's only part of the solution.

The most important part is a comprehensive economic, cultural, and academic boycott of Israel.

Keep it up until they abide by basic humanitarian law and live within their internationally recognized 1967 borders.

It was slow in coming, but it eventually worked in Apartheid South Africa - it will work for Israel as well, and be a blessing for diaspora Jews worldwide who are taking the blame for the war crimes that Zionist Israel is committing..

I agree getting the brits out of Cyprus but be careful what you wish for.

The turkisch hitler is ready to reclaim the whole island and the gas fields.

300 protesters, hmm.

It's been a while since I was in Cyprus, but a lot more than 300 Cypriots work in the Sovereign Base Areas, and rely, directly or indirectly, on the SBAs for their income!