About 700 UK troops are being deployed to an RAF base in Cyprus in case the navy must evacuate British residents from Lebanon, the place the state of affairs is deteriorating.
They be a part of a number of hundred troops already stationed on the island, the place the UK has maintained two armed forces bases for greater than 60 years.
Having a everlasting navy presence within the Center East provides Britain quite a few capabilities together with earlier evacuation missions.
The place are the British bases on Cyprus?
The UK has two navy bases on the island of Cyprus, a legacy of its former standing as a British colony.
When it gained independence from Britain in 1960, a part of the settlement was Britain would preserve two “sovereign base areas” at Akrotiri (south west) and Dhekelia (south east).
What models are stationed at RAF Akrotiri?
Along with the roughly 700 troops which might be being despatched to RAF Akrotiri to reply to the present disaster round Lebanon and Israel, quite a few models are already deployed on the base.
Plane primarily based there embrace RAF Typhoons – used this 12 months in strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen – and Puma helicopters.
Two British warships are additionally within the area and can be used if any evacuation operation is ordered. Border Pressure and International Workplace officers may also assist the navy.
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Britons in Lebanon informed to depart
Would Cyprus models be concerned in an evacuation?
The placement of Cyprus, only a brief distance from Lebanon, makes it a doable staging submit for any evacuation of British residents from Lebanon, of which there are 1000’s.
Numerous elements play into any choice for an evacuation, particularly if the airspace round Beirut airport had been to shut.
Sir Peter Ricketts, former authorities nationwide safety adviser and ex-chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee, mentioned airways might cease operating if the state of affairs deteriorates, which means a navy evacuation can be the one means out.
“I think this is a very real possibility, which is why it’s important for anyone who needs to leave to do so now,” he mentioned.
