‘Cyprus might be targeted’ – anti-war protest outside Akrotiri bases
A protest is being organised outside the British bases in Akrotiri this Sunday, amid escalating violence in the Middle East.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Cyprus Peace Council announced the protest and called on the government of Cyprus to take a clear stance against the military activities of the British bases.
The protest will take place on Sunday at 11am, where individuals are called to gather at the environmental centre, 500m away from the bases entrance.
“The large military activities carried out these days on the ground and air around the Akrotiri bases as well as the large concentration of US military forces in our country to prepare for a broader war, heightens the feeling of concern that Cyprus may become a target for an attack.”
Expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon, the Cyprus Peace Council said “the anti-war protest is being organised in light of the dangerous escalation of the war in the Middle East.”
It slammed Israel’s actions it described “as a continuous attempt to carry out the genocide of the Palestinian people”.
Coupled with “the murderous attacks in Lebanon”, these are being done with the full support of the US, UK and EU, the statement said.
The announcement on the protest comes hours after the UK announced it was deploying 700 troops to Cyprus as it prepared for mass evacuations from Lebanon.
This is not the first time a protest has been carried out at the bases. In January, some 500 people marched to Akrotiri bases to protest the British Bases turning Cyprus into an “aggressive launch pad” for the war in Gaza.
A protest was also carried out last month over US military presence, after its amphibious assault ship, USS Wasp arrived in Limassol.