UK Sends 6 Fighter Jets to Cyprus Base

The UK has sent six RAF Typhoon jets to its Akrotiri base in Cyprus, the British Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The Ministry noted that the jets were not being sent to conduct potential ground-attack missions against Bashar al-Assad's regime, but were there as a precautionary measure.

"This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defense of our Sovereign Base Areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region," a Defense Ministry statement said.

"This is a movement of defensive assets operating in an air-to-air role only. They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria. The Prime Minister has made clear no decision has been taken on the UK’s response to the situation in Syria and there will be a Commons vote before any direct military involvement."

The Guardian reminds that military analysts have expressed concern that Cyprus might be in range of Syria's Scud missiles. Assad also has a strong air force.

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