Thursday sirens at Akrotiri spark alarm, no threat found

Residents near the British bases at Akrotiri were briefly on edge Thursday afternoon after sirens sounded just after 12 noon in response to a suspected security threat. The alert ended a few minutes ago, with authorities confirming that the object was not headed for Cyprus.

The warning, issued by base officials, told residents to stay indoors, move away from windows, and take cover behind solid furniture. “There is an ongoing security threat. Please remain indoors and remain in place until further official notice,” the message read.

Officials stressed that it was the base's decision to sound the alarms and that operational readiness remained high.

In response to ongoing regional tensions, authorities updated the public on reinforcements being sent to Cyprus. The U.K. is deploying the HMS Dragon and helicopters equipped with anti-drone systems, while Spain has announced it will send a frigate to bolster security.

A meeting between Cypriot Defense Minister Michalis Palma and the British Minister of Defense was described as “very good” in tone, focusing on readiness and updates on incoming assets.

The incident reflects the heightened alert in Cyprus amid regional instability, even as officials confirm that there was no direct threat to the island.