The ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the USA, Israel, and Iran has sent ripples of fear through Cyprus, where concerns about the country’s preparedness are growing alarmingly. Nearly 20% of Cyprus’s bomb shelters are either unsuitable or completely absent, exposing critical vulnerabilities as tensions escalate in the region.
This unease was heightened recently when an Iranian-made Shahed-type drone struck a hangar at RAF Akrotiri, a British military base on the island. The attack has shaken residents and officials alike, revealing glaring gaps in emergency readiness.
Valentinos Pangalos expressed the community’s growing distress: “People have felt very scared. Since the drone attack, we’ve been flooded with calls, especially from elderly citizens asking about the nearest refuge and safety measures. Unfortunately, our staff is severely understaffed to handle this demand.”
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Maria Papa, chief officer of civil defence, candidly acknowledged to the Guardian, “This security crisis has exposed just how ill-prepared we are. We urgently need to improve our shelters, increase staff, and upgrade our facilities. These requests have been made repeatedly over the years with little progress.”
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri on March 2. The UK Foreign Office advised British nationals in the area to closely follow instructions from local authorities to ensure their safety.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides also voiced dissatisfaction: “We’re not happy with the current state of our shelters. Given our history of invasion and occupation 52 years ago, building proper shelters should have been a priority long ago.”
Despite the fear, Papa stressed that Cyprus remains generally safe. “The British bases have been specifically targeted, but the pervasive sense of fear is also linked to the siege mentality dating back to 1974,” she explained.
One local resident, a 67-year-old, summed up the general anxiety: “I won’t hide it, I’m scared. The presence of military ships and the poor condition of shelters make it clear that governments have neglected our safety for too long. This situation is terrible.”
As the conflict continues, Cyprus confronts a critical moment in enhancing protection for both residents and visitors amid escalating regional tensions.