LONDON: Britain’s Defense Minister John Healey is headed to Cyprus, media reports said, following the outbreak of war in the Middle East and a drone strike on a UK air base on the Mediterranean island. Healey would arrive later Thursday, the BBC and the PA news agency reported. The visit comes after the runway of the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Akrotiri came under attack by an unmanned drone on Monday.

Defence secretary has not made a final decision but multiple sources say the deployment of HMS Duncan is under consideration

Defence sources say deployment of HMS Duncan to better protect base on Mediterranean island is under discussion

The development comes after an Iranian-made drone crashed into the UK's military base in Cyprus.

The Cypriot government suspects the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon targeted the UK's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus.

John Healey meets Cypriot counterpart after Shahed-style drone evaded defences and hit RAF base on island

The Cypriot government has criticised how the UK has handled information sharing after drone attacks.

LONDON: Britain’s Defense Minister John Healey is headed to Cyprus, media reports said, following the outbreak of war in the Middle East and a drone strike on a UK air base on the…

UK defence minister visits base on high alert after drone strike as civilian personnel, families and villagers seek safety

The defence secretary met his counterpart in Cyprus earlier on Thursday to ease tensions about Britain’s response to drone attacks on the island