Professor Neophytos Loizides on the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri military base in Cyprus

Neophytos Loizides, Professor in International Conflict Analysis, comments on the recent drone attack on RAF Akrotiri military base in Cyprus, outlining the complex security arrangements in Cyprus and how a new security framework could serve both communities in Cyprus and lower costs for UK taxpayers.

“Cyprus presents a remarkable security paradox: a NATO country (Turkey) holds a third of a territory of an EU member state, the UK operates Chagos-style sovereign military bases but also helps police the UN buffer zone while the continuation of the current status quo between Greek and Turkish Cypriots ultimately depends on a Russian veto in the UN Security Council. These contradictions have become more prevalent after the Akrotiri drone attack.

“The Eastern Mediterranean has become one of the world’s most volatile region but the UK which claims to protect civilians from Ukraine to sub-Saharan Africa has failed to even provide security in its own military bases. Those include installations throughout the island and two separate zones almost of the size of Malta where thousands of civilians reside. This paradox does not mean that the region is trapped in an unsolvable security dilemma.

“Following the Akrotiri incident the lesson is simple: a redesigned, jointly supported, and funded security framework could reduce escalation risks, lower costs for UK taxpayers, as well as add local legitimacy and better serve both communities in Cyprus. Both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are willing to support security arrangements built around credible international guarantees and neutral oversight.”