Spain Sends Frigate To Cyprus In Response To Iranian Attacks
- 5.03.2026, 13:48
- 1,262
For joint operations with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and ships of the Greek Navy.
Spain will send the frigate Cristobal Colon to the Eastern Mediterranean along with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and ships from the Greek navy to defend Cyprus.
The announcement was made by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, reports El Pais.
"With the deployment of the frigate Cristobal Colon, Spain demonstrates its dedication to the defense of the European Union and its eastern border," the ministry, headed by Margarita Robles, stressed.
"Cristobal Colon," the Spanish navy's most modern frigate with a crew of more than 200, joined the Charles de Gaulle naval group on March 3 for the Fanal-19 exercise, performing escort, protection and skills improvement missions in the Baltic Sea.
The Spanish ship was not originally scheduled to escort the nuclear-powered French aircraft carrier during its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.
In the end, the Spanish government decided it would join the naval aviation group, which is scheduled to arrive off the coast of Crete around March 10. During the ships' passage through the Gulf of Cadiz, the supply ship Cantabria will go to sea to refuel them, the Defense Ministry explained.
His mission will be "to provide air protection and defense, thus complementing the capabilities of the Patriot battery deployed by the Spanish army in Turkey. It will also be on standby to support the evacuation of civilian personnel who may be affected by the conflict," the Defense Ministry added.
El Pais reported Thursday that government sources said Spain was prepared to provide military support to Cyprus in the event of attacks by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah. The decision not to support the war launched by the US and Israel against Tehran, and not to allow the use of Spanish bases in Morona (Seville) and Rota (Cadiz) in the operation, is not inconsistent with providing military support to an EU member like Cyprus.
The sources interviewed say the first case is an act of aggression that violates international law, has no legal basis and no clear objective. The second, they argue, is an act of solidarity in defense of a partner who is asking for help in the face of an external attack. One weakens the international order and the other strengthens Europe. Adding to the symbolism, Cyprus holds the EU presidency this semester, government sources said.
The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed on March 2 that the Royal Air Force Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus had been attacked by an Iranian drone.
In Cyprus, it is believed that this Iranian drone that hit the British airbase was launched from Lebanon.
In the course of the day on March 2, a second drone attack on the British airbase in Akrotiri became known. Because of the drone incident, Greece announced it would send two frigates and four F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus.
The UK also announced it would send a destroyer to Cyprus, while France would send a frigate and missile systems.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]
