The government of Cyprus is facing strong criticism after use of an RAF base on the island in US-led airstrikes against Syria, with protestors demonstrating outside the facility before a “mass anti-war” rally on Monday in Nicosia. More than 350 people, most members of the Greek Communist party, gathered on Sunday in Akrotiri, south-west Cyprus, to call for the airbase to be closed. RAF Akrotiri is Britain’s main forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and has been used frequently to carry out airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq. Sunday’s demonstration came after staunch criticism over Britain’s failure to give Cyprus advance warning about the strikes. In the sleepy village of Akrotiri up the road from the base, locals said security fears were a common concern.

Source: The Guardian April 15, 2018 16:18 UTC