UK Defense Minister Visits Cyprus

UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps is set to visit Cyprus on Friday. He will be received at the Presidential Palace by Nikos Christodoulides and the new Defense Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Vasilis Palmas.

It is noted that this is Grant Shapps' first visit to the island since the UK began bombing Yemen using its base in Akrotiri last week.

The last visit of the UK Defense Minister to the island took place in December when he went to Akrotiri to meet with base personnel.

Regarding the upcoming trip, Grant Shapps informed the UK Parliament that the goals of his country "include demonstrating and reaffirming the unwavering support for Israel from the UK."

"The British RAF bases in Cyprus are a very useful asset. They are used, for example, to support our military in this region," he added.

Recall that the UK previously used its Akrotiri base in Cyprus for airstrikes in Yemen. On Friday, January 12, UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps announced that Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft had carried out precision strikes on two Houthi military targets along with US forces. UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey later stated that the aircraft successfully hit their targets and safely returned to Akrotiri.

In response, a protest took place on the island over the weekend against British military bases. Approximately 500 participants in the rally demanded the immediate dismantling of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases.