Protests erupted as angered Cypriots gathered at the British airbase in Akrotiri, southern Cyprus, accusing the UK of funnelling weapons to Israel for its contentious operations in Gaza.
Akrotiri, retained by the British military under the 1960 treaty granting Cyprus independence from colonial rule, became the focal point of condemnation. Charis Pashias, head of the Cyprus Peace Council, stated, ““The demonstration against the British base at Akrotiri is being organised to condemn the transport of arms from the British bases to support the Israeli army’s military operations in the Gaza Strip.”
Amid the Israel-Palestine conflict escalation since October 7, locals reported a daily surge in flights from Akrotiri, located about 40 minutes flying time from Tel Aviv. Concerns were also raised about the presence of thousands of American soldiers stationed in Akrotiri, a fact previously undisclosed.
While the UK’s Ministry of Defence provided information on RAF flights between Akrotiri and Israel, the nature of the transported cargo remains undisclosed. Defence Minister Grant Shapps assured parliament on December 5 that the UK would supply “only defensive materiel, or materiel that might help with the recovery of hostages” during the conflict.
Haaretz reported a notable increase in equipment and arms delivery to Akrotiri, including 40 heavy-transport aircraft from the United States Air Force and 20 from Britain’s Royal Air Force in the initial 24 days of the war.
Declassified UK, a news website, revealed the RAF transport aircraft’s daily flights from Akrotiri to Tel Aviv between October 13 and 26. Concerns were raised about the military transport plane landing at Israel’s Nevatim airbase on December 4, with critics questioning the likelihood of it delivering humanitarian aid.
Meral Hussein-Ece, a British Liberal Democrat peer, urged the return of British bases in Cyprus to the Cypriots, expressing scepticism about their current use. Ersin Tatar, head of the ethnic Turkish administration in the northern part of the island, accused the UK of interfering in other countries’ affairs through the use of these bases.
The Campaign Against Arms Trade highlighted the use of F-35 jets, jointly produced by the US, UK, and other partners, by Israel in Gaza. Weapons with US and UK production involvement, such as M270 rocket launchers and Paveway II guided missiles, are also reportedly used in the region.
Equipment transported to and from Cyprus involves C-17 Globemaster, A400 Atlas, and C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. The C-17 Globemaster, known for its logistics capabilities, can carry loads up to 77 tonnes, including Black Hawk helicopters and Abrams tanks.
Social media posts from Israel’s army showcased weapons being delivered to the Nevatim airbase and equipment arriving at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, raising further concerns.