IN the second part of our special report on the UK military presence in Cyprus, photojournalist Giacomo Sini’s pictures – alongside Dario Antonelli – tell the story of his island home and the increasingly fractious relationship with the RAF base there.
1. A Union flag waves within the Dhekelia Station, British army base within the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA) in Cyprus. Dhekelia, SBA of Cyprus. Photo by Giacomo Sini
2. Barrels, sand, awning and a propaganda message of the Republic of Cyprus in Stoa Tarsi in the historic centre of southern Nicosia, dividing the southern part of Nicosia under the administration of the Republic of Cyprus from the “Green Line – UN Buffer Zone”.
A few metres further north is the part of the city under the administration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Nicosia, Cyprus. 2025. Photo by Giacomo Sini
3. Des Prendegast and Armin Dozo, two UNPOL (United Nations Police) officers within the UNFICYP mission during a patrol of the military buffer zone Green Line, not far from the Louroujina/ Akıncılar area – which divides the two Republics of Cyprus. In the background is a Turkish post. UN Military Buffer Zone, Cyprus, 2022. Photo by Giacomo Sini
4. The UFP (United for Palestine) group present at a demonstration in Larnaca organised by the Cyprus Peace Council (CPC)/Pancyprian Peace Council that ended at the Centre for Land, Maritime and Port Security (CyCLOPS) in Larnaca against the growing and dangerous militarisation of Cyprus and the island’s growing ties with foreign military powers, such as the US and Nato. Larnaca, Cyprus, 2025. Photo by Giacomo Sini
5. Matthew Stavrinides, a young activist from the group Genocide Free Cyprus and Lebanon, and Zoe Louka, a UFP activist, sitting at the Yalla café in southern Nicosia, Cyprus. 2025. Photo by Giacomo Sini
6. Enjoy Complicity a graffiti pictured along Lemesos (Limassol) Molos, the seafront walk of the city. Lemesos (Limassol), Cyprus. Photo by Giacomo Sini
7. Cypriot Turkish-spoken conscientious objector and anti-militarist activist Halil Karapaşaoğlu, seen in Nicosia centre, Cyprus. Photo by Giacomo Sini
8. A group of protesters in support of Palestinian people and against the presence of UK bases in Cyprus and militarism demonstrate in a short rally through the streets of Lemesos (Limassol). The group was insulted by some Israelis passing by, creating a tense situation for a few minutes. Lemesos, Cyprus. Photo by Giacomo Sini
9. A former military bunker position within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus areas in Nicosia. In the background is the Ledra Palace within the UN Buffer Zone. Photo by Dario Antonelli
10. One of the streets of the centre of Nicosia, close to the Green Line which divides the city into two sides and also the island. In the photo is a wall dividing the UN buffer zone from the Republic of Cyprus, and on the other side, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Nicosia, Cyprus 2022. Photo by Giacomo Sini
11. People gathered in front of the Municipality Mall of Lemesos (Limassol) at a rally against racism, imperialism and militarism. At the protest, a group of food delivery company Wolt’s riders striking against the company join the rally. Lemesos, Cyprus. Photo by Giacomo Sini
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