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PoliticsCyprus

A Cyprus village feels the impact of the Iran war

March 12, 2026

The Cypriot village of Akrotiri is situated right next to a British military base of the same name. With sirens going off regularly, the war in Iran seems to be getting closer. How are residents responding?

https://p.dw.com/p/5AHLs

Shortly after midnight on March 1, an Iranian drone crashed into the runway at Britain's Akrotiri military base in southern Cyprus, which is located just a stone's throw from the village of the same name.

The incident prompted Cypriot authorities to take precautionary measures, including the temporary evacuation of Akrotiri. Some residents, however, refuse to leave, questioning whether they would be any safer elsewhere.

While European states are sending ships, aircraft and anti-aircraft systems to Cyprus to increase security and strengthen the country's air defenses, the Cypriot authorities have begun restoring old shelters and have launched the "SafeCy" app, which allows citizens to locate the nearest shelter and check its capacity in case of emergency. 

Head shot of a bearded man (Loucianos Lyritsas)
Loucianos Lyritsas Reporter focusing on politics in Cyprus, the Cyprus problem and the refugee crisis.