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A drone strike on Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus on March 2 has heightened concerns regarding the British military bases on the island. Cypriot officials fear the impact on tourism and investment, urging reassessment of the bases' role.

The bases are intertwined with local life, and Cypriots increasingly vocalize opposition, viewing them as remnants of colonialism. The Dhekelia base functions as a buffer zone, complicating potential withdrawal. The UK government is likely to resist ceding control due to regional tensions and domestic political factors, despite rising Cypriot discontent.