Anti-war protesters in Cyprus gathered in Limassol on Tuesday for a protest organized by the Cyprus Peace Council. They called for the removal of British military bases from the island and condemned the conflict with Iran.
Protesters held signs reading: “Out with the Bases. Out with all armies. What is Cyprus doing in imperialist wars?” This reflects growing anger over Cyprus’ strategic role as the regional conflict widens. In a statement, the Cyprus Peace Council decried what it described as fresh attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran and criticized the widening of military operations across the Middle East and into Cyprus.
Why the Cyprus anti-war protest gained urgency
The protest came a day after a drone struck RAF Akrotiri, the British military base in Cyprus, in what Cypriot authorities described as a Shahed-type UAV attack that resulted in minor damage. According to reports, the strike marked a troubling new phase for Cyprus as the regional conflict intensified.
The broader escalation followed joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state media. Iran then launched retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears that countries hosting Western military infrastructure could face further threats.
Cyprus distances itself from military action
President Nikos Christodoulides moved quickly to stress that the Republic of Cyprus was not involved in any military campaign. In a public statement after the Akrotiri strike, he said Cyprus “does not participate in any way” and does not intend to become part of any military operation. Government officials confirmed that position on Tuesday, saying the country would continue to play a humanitarian rather than military role.
At the same time, authorities stepped up domestic security measures. The UK Ministry of Defence relocated military families from RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation in Cyprus, while the Cypriot government activated Civil Defence forces and opened emergency shelters in Limassol.
Greece protests reflect wider regional backlash
The unrest extended beyond Cyprus. On Sunday, more than 1,300 demonstrators marched to the US and Israeli embassies in Athens to protest the strikes on Iran.
Many of the protesters, most of them affiliated with the Greek Communist Party, carried banners reading “Hands off Iran” and “close Souda base,” referring to the naval base on Crete, a facility of major strategic importance to the United States in the Eastern Mediterranean.
