Tension in the Middle East escalated on Monday morning with cross-border bombings in Iran, Israel, and even Cyprus. The Israeli Army confirmed that Hezbollah militants in Lebanon fired six rockets towards Israel in the early hours of Monday, marking the first time the group has attacked the country since the start of the joint US-Israel operation against Iran. Subsequently, Israeli forces launched airstrikes early Monday against Dahieh, the southern suburbs of Beirut, in retaliation for rockets previously fired by Hezbollah at Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom confirmed it was attacked by drones on an air base in Cyprus by Iran. This is the Akrotiri base, managed by the British army in Limassol, Cyprus, which was reportedly chosen as a target by Iranians after the UK authorized the US to use some of its military facilities. According to reports, around midnight, British military personnel stationed at the base were ordered to take cover after an explosion was heard. Personnel were informed of the situation and advised to return to their residences and remain indoors until further notice. There are as yet no known casualties. The extent of the damage is also unknown. Syria closes its airspace Syria has extended the closure of its entire airspace for another 24 hours starting from midnight local time on Monday, suspending all takeoffs and landings amid heightened tensions following a joint US-Israel attack on Iran. The Civil Aviation Authority cited regional security events and the need to ensure aviation safety, adding that it is monitoring the situation and will announce new decisions through official channels. Additionally, missile debris that fell on Sunday injured four people near the capital of Damascus. Iran exchanged fire over Syrian skies, prompting authorities to extend the closure of national airspace.
