Cyprus remains on high alert, with Akrotiri residents experiencing intense anxiety as sirens at the British base sounded once again. Under these conditions, daily life for families with young children becomes particularly difficult. Speaking to Live News cameras, Christina, mother of two boys, describes the climate of fear prevailing in the area. “Fear certainly, and sadness because they could destroy people’s homes.” At midnight Sunday after the strike on Akrotiri, they left their home in haste. “I was sleeping and my father woke me up and said ‘let’s go to grandma’s.’ I asked him why and he didn’t tell me the reason.”
Since that day they’ve been staying as a family in a hotel in Limassol awaiting instructions from authorities. Having lived all her years next to the military base, she says this is the first time she feels fear. The lack of proper information doesn’t help. “Sirens play and we don’t receive messages. And authorities were asking us if the sirens were actually sounding.” Polina with her two minor children is also staying at a hotel in Germasogeia. “We came from Wednesday. There are people here since Monday. We’re constantly anxious because we have children, babies.”
Akrotiri residents returning – “I won’t abandon my place and my life”
One of those who returned to Akrotiri today is Mr. Andreas, to open, as he says, his barbershop that has been operating for 58 years. “It’s my barbershop. In ’68 when I got engaged I opened it here and I continue.” Everything recalls that time. Even the prices. 6 euros for a haircut, 3 euros for a shave with the traditional straight razor, the brush for rich foam, powders and lemon-scented colognes. I won’t abandon my place and my life, he says emotionally. “It’s very difficult and now we understand the refugees who were displaced.”
This was the first time in 57 years he was forced to leave his home. He went to his daughter’s for a few days and this morning decided to return to his village. “There’s some insecurity but I decided to stay. I see the sea filled with ships and aircraft. The good thing is that Greece came.” The barbershop walls are covered with Greek flags. Having worked 42 years at the British Akrotiri base, he says with complaint that the British on the night of the attack only informed their own families and not the village residents.
“They didn’t notify us at all. They notified their own people since Sunday when the drone fell. We only heard the sirens. We didn’t know what was happening. And they were leaving in haste.” The evacuation regime at Akrotiri extends until Monday, with Cypriot authorities deciding then whether normalcy will gradually return to the village.
