UK Faces Criticism for Delayed Cyprus Base Protection

0:00On March 6, British leaders are dealing with fresh criticism over delays in protecting the key Cyprus airbase during the escalating Middle East conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer ordered the warship HMS Dragon to head there on Tuesday, but is still docked in Portsmouth and won't sail until next. We get the earliest, possibly taking up to two weeks to arrive. Other nations have stepped in quickly to fill the gap. Greek, Spanish, French, and Italian ships are now patrolling to intercept missiles and drones aimed at the region, while anti-drone helicopters arrive. Overnight, a more accessed like typhoon jets hit the guitar. Critics call this a major embarrassment for the UK, especially after a drone struck the RAF aquatery base in Cyprus, damaging a hangar used by. American spy planes, defense secretary John Healey visiting the island downplayed the issues, stressing adaptive responses amid the chaos. The crisis kicked off late last month, with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over its

1:02nuclear program, killing the supreme leader and sparking reprisals. Starmer has refused offensive support, but allowed defensive use of UK bases, insisting the special U.S. UK ties remain strong despite tensions with President Trump. As the war hits its seventh day, Starmer urged unity in a press conference, warning of higher energy bills ahead and highlighting ongoing evacuations, and international coordination to keep bases safe, and international coordination to keep bases safe, and international coordination to keep bases safe, and international coordination to keep bases safe, and international coordination