The RAF resumed airstrikes on Isis oilfields in Syria, targeting a key source of the group's income. The strikes were authorized by Michael Fallon following a parliamentary vote in favor of expanding Britain's air war into Syria. The mission involved Tornado jets, Typhoon jets, and an RAF Reaper drone, coordinated with other coalition aircraft. Local residents in Cyprus expressed mixed feelings about the presence of British forces but supported the strikes against Isis. The article also discusses the effectiveness of the US-led coalition's air campaign and the strategic focus on disrupting Isis's oil revenue.

Layali Ibrahim, a stateless Iraqi Kurd, turned 16 in Richmond Village, an isolated part of a British military base in Cyprus, where she lives with her family and other refugees. Born on a boat of migrants headed for Italy, Layali and her family were rescued and brought to RAF Akrotiri, a British base, and later moved to Dhekelia. Despite being top of her class, Layali's future is uncertain as her family is considered 'failed asylum seekers' by the British authorities. The UK refuses to admit the refugees, fearing it would set a precedent. A legal battle is ongoing to determine Britain's responsibility for the refugees, while the Cypriot authorities have stopped considering Farhad Ibrahim's asylum claim, threatening deportation. The refugees live in poor conditions, receive minimal welfare, and have limited rights on the military base.

Thassos Sophocleous, a retired mathematics teacher and former Eoka guerrilla, seeks an apology from the British government for torture he endured during Cyprus's anti-colonial struggle in the 1950s. Inspired by a recent legal victory for Kenyan Mau Mau veterans, Sophocleous aims to hold Britain accountable for its colonial-era abuses. Despite historical denials, newly discovered colonial files provide substantial evidence of British brutality. Sophocleous's pursuit of justice reflects broader sentiments among Greek Cypriots and other former colonies, challenging Britain to confront its imperial past.

Millions of songbirds are being illegally trapped and killed in Cyprus, primarily to supply local restaurants with a delicacy called ambelopoulia. Despite efforts by British military authorities and conservation groups like the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and BirdLife Cyprus, the practice persists, particularly on the British sovereign military base at Dhekelia. The British military has taken steps to combat the issue, including removing acacia trees used by poachers, but faces resistance from local trappers. The Republic of Cyprus is also working to address the problem through law enforcement and education campaigns. The illegal bird-trapping industry is worth an estimated 15 million euros annually, and while many Cypriots oppose the practice, it remains a cultural tradition for some.

Young Cypriots find it challenging to envision a reunited Cyprus, with the division of the island being a distant memory for anyone under 43. Nikolas Neophytou, a 22-year-old student, notes that the Cyprus problem is rarely discussed or posted about among his peers, who are more engaged with issues like Brexit on social media. The symbols of the conflict, such as barbed wire and sandbags in Nicosia, have become a normalized part of the landscape for the younger generation.

A large Turkish-funded mosque nearing completion in northern Nicosia, Cyprus, symbolizes Turkey's growing influence in the region, which is causing concern among both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Despite Turkey's financial and security support for the breakaway territory, many Turkish Cypriots are wary of President Erdogan's political Islam and authoritarianism. Experts suggest that this discontent may accelerate moves towards the reunification of Cyprus.

Cyprus has extended an offer to France to use an airbase near Paphos for humanitarian and support missions in Iraq. The Cypriot foreign minister also suggested that they would likely respond positively to a French request to use the base for military operations in Syria.