Threat level at British Dhekelia base ‘low’

The threat level at the British Dhekelia base area, the UK’s eastern base in Cyprus, has been assessed to be “low”, chief superintendent Neil Cripps, the bases’ eastern divisional commander, said on Monday afternoon, while also denying that the Dhekelia base was to be evacuated.

In a message issued to the residents of villages within the bounds of the Dhekelia base area, he said he wished to offer assurances “that we currently assess the threat to eastern Cyprus to be low”.

“As the UK prime minister [Sir Keir Starmer] has already stated, there is already a range of defence capabilities in place in the region and the protection of the bases, local communities, and personnel has also been enhanced in line with the recent threat,” he said.

He added that there had been a “temporary removal of non-essential personnel” from the western base at Akrotiri, which had been hit by a drone shortly after midnight.

In line with this, he said, while the British authorities believe that any threat will be directed at the Akrotiri air force base itself, the bases’ authorities will “support” anyone who chooses to leave the nearby Akrotiri village.

“Those who cannot move quickly or are vulnerable will receive assistance and temporarily housing solutions will be found for a short period of time,” he added.

Away from Akrotiri, he said, “in all other locations – Episkopi, Dhekelia, Ayios Nikolaos – workplaces, businesses and facilities remain open as normal, and there are no restrictions or plans for the removal of either military personnel or local residents”.

“I am aware that there is false news circulating nationally and on social media regarding the evacuation of all British bases on the island,” he said, adding that those reports are “categorically untrue”.