About 700 UK troops are being deployed to an RAF base in Cyprus in case the military needs to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon, where the situation is deteriorating.
They join several hundred troops already stationed on the island, where the UK has maintained two armed forces bases for more than 60 years.
Having a permanent military presence in the Middle East gives Britain a number of capabilities including previous evacuation missions.
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Where are the British bases on Cyprus?
The UK has two military bases on the island of Cyprus, a legacy of its former status as a British colony.
When it gained independence from Britain in 1960, part of the agreement was Britain would maintain two “sovereign base areas” at Akrotiri (south west) and Dhekelia (south east).
The one in the news at the moment is Akrotiri due to it hosting an RAF squadron.
What units are stationed at RAF Akrotiri?
In addition to the approximately 700 troops that are being sent to RAF Akrotiri to respond to the current crisis around Lebanon and Israel, a number of units are already deployed at the base.
Aircraft based there include RAF Typhoons – used this year in strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen – and Puma helicopters.
Two British warships are also in the region and would be used if any evacuation operation is ordered. Border Force and Foreign Office officials will also support the military.
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Would Cyprus units be involved in an evacuation?
The location of Cyprus, just a short distance from Lebanon, makes it a possible staging post for any evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon, of which there are thousands.
“RAF Akrotiri handles a lot of stuff,” military analyst professor Michael Clarke told Sky News.
“It can take a lot of troops, a lot of facilities. It’s the obvious place – and it’s about 220 miles away from the Lebanese coast.
“So you can helicopter people to ships, or get people to ships and then helicopter them to Akrotiri or helicopter back and forth to Akrotiri. You can get an aircraft in. There’s lots of things you can do.”
What happens now?
Sky News understands that troops at RAF Akrotiri are on standby for an order to commence such an operation, but that no decision has yet been taken.
Lots of factors play into any decision for an evacuation, in particular if the airspace around Beirut airport were to close.
Sir Peter Ricketts, former government national security adviser and ex-chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said airlines may stop running if the situation deteriorates, meaning a military evacuation would be the only way 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 said.
