Cyprus Gets Travel Warning

The "Reconsider Travel" advisory for Cyprus was elevated to Level 3 on March 3, 2026, a rare jump from its previous Level 1 status, which advises exercising normal precautions. This significant change was a direct response to a drone strike on the British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri just a day earlier. The U.S. government also authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and their families from the island. The specific incident that triggered the heightened alert was a "kamikaze" drone hitting a hangar at the RAF Akrotiri base on March 2, 2026, causing minor damage. Cypriot officials have attributed the strike to Hezbollah, stating the drone was launched from Lebanon. In the following days, British and Greek forces intercepted additional drones targeting the island. This escalation is a direct spillover from the wider conflict that began on February 28, 2026, with a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. In response, Iran and its proxies have targeted U.S. and allied interests in the region. An official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated an intent to fire missiles toward Cyprus to compel an American withdrawal from the area. The advisory extends beyond the immediate conflict, also noting the limited ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist American citizens in the northern part of Cyprus. This area is administered by Turkish Cypriots, and its self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is not recognized by the United States or any country other than Türkiye. Tourism is a cornerstone of the Cypriot economy, contributing over 10% of the nation's GDP. The country welcomed over 4.5 million tourists in 2025. While specific numbers of American tourists are smaller than those from Europe, they are among the highest-spending visitors per person. In response to the drone attacks, the United Kingdom has deployed helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and an air-defense destroyer. Greece has also bolstered Cyprus's defenses by sending two frigates and four F-16 fighter jets. European allies, including France, have also increased their defensive deployments around the island. Disruptions to commercial flights in the Eastern Mediterranean have been a significant consequence of the regional hostilities since they began. Following the drone incidents, Paphos International Airport was temporarily evacuated, and Larnaca International Airport also experienced a temporary closure due to security alerts.