The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, sought to ease concerns over Cyprus’ security following operations from the Akrotiri base targeting the Houthis.
Speaking after a meeting with the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas at the Presidential Palace, Shapps reassured that the weapons used by the Houthis do not present an immediate threat to Cyprus, saying that they cannot even reach Israel.
“We are committed to doing everything within our means to ensure the security of Cyprus, an objective that serves the interests of all. We acknowledge the challenges in your neighbourhood and aim to contribute to making the situation more manageable,” stated Shapps.
Addressing the issue of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Shapps commended President Christodoulides’ “Amalthea” initiative and mentioned ongoing considerations for delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza more expeditiously.
He suggested an alternative approach, proposing the direct dispatch of aid to Israel instead of routing it through Egypt, and even exploring the possibility of using the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Last week, in an operation led by the United States, the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom started conducting air strikes from the Akrotiri base in Cyprus, targeting Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.
The goal was to degrade Houthi military capabilities and safeguard global shipping through “limited, necessary, and proportionate self-defence action,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
The Houthis say their attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea are a show of support for the Palestinians and Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza.
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