00:18Our armed forces, who are located across the region, are also being put at risk by Iran's actions.
00:30British military base came under attack.
00:32For the first time in four decades, the UK's key air base in Cyprus has been struck in what officials
00:39believe was an Iranian drone assault.
00:42And it comes just hours after the British Prime Minister agreed to help the United States in its attacks on
00:48Iran.
00:48The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
01:04We have taken the decision to accept this request.
01:12Here's what we know.
01:14Just after midnight, 12.03 a.m. local time, a suspected Shahed-type drone crashed into the UK's Royal Air
01:21Force Base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
01:24Cypriot President Nikos Christodelides confirmed the unmanned aerial vehicle caused minor damage after impacting military facilities.
01:33No casualties have been reported so far, but authorities immediately went on full alert.
01:38Residents living near the base were told to shelter in place, non-essential personnel were dispersed, and British forces declared
01:45what they called a live situation.
01:47Now, why is this significant? RAF Akrotiri is not just any base.
01:52Located on Cyprus' sovereign coast, nearly Massal, it's one of two sovereign British military territories retained since Cyprus gained independence
02:00in 1960.
02:01It has been used in past operations in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
02:05And importantly, it houses military families.
02:08This marks the first strike on the base since 1986.
02:12That's a major escalation.
02:14The attack comes after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would allow the United States to use UK bases
02:20for what he described as defensive strikes against Iran.
02:23Initially, London had hesitated, citing concerns over international law.
02:27But that position changed, and within hours, the drone strike happened.
02:31The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the incident, stating that force protection in the region is at its highest level.
02:37Well, if the
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