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(Image: PA)

Four boats carrying 140 migrants, including children, have arrived at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The base has been used for bombing missions against the Islamic State terror group in Iraq.

It is not yet clear where the 140 occupants of the boats – who include children – had set sail from or what nationalities they are.

(Image: EPA)

RAF Akrotiri is one of two British sovereign territories in Cyprus, which was a colony until 1960.

The huge military facility, which is on the southern coast of the island, has been used to bomb Islamic State targets in northern Iraq since September 2014.

A source from Cyprus said migrants arrived unchallenged.

He added: "Fundamental question: How can three to four boats with circa 150 people come ashore unchallenged at the UK's main base in its fight against IS, less than 150 miles from Syria?

"Now there's an awkward question, especially after the withdrawal of the Royal Navy 'Cyprus Squadron' in 2010 left Akrotiri without any 24/7 armed maritime early warning or force protection.

"Lucky it wasn't an IS raiding party or we'd be sending pictures of burning Tornados."

(Image: PA)

The MoD said in a statement: "We can confirm that a number of boats with migrants on board have landed on the shore of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

At the moment our key priority is ensuring everybody on board is safe and well and when we can release further details we will."

Earlier this week, three women and a child drowned off the Greek coast trying to reach Europe.

It was revealed on Saturday as many as 150 migrants are stopped entering Britain every day.