London, Sept. 27 (SANA) British police arrested five men Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford, an air base used by US forces in Gloucestershire, western England.
Police received a report at about 12:45 a.m. concerning three suspicious vehicles travelling toward the air base. Armed officers responded and arrested the men in the nearby village of Whelford, according to Gloucestershire Police.
The suspects were initially detained under the Explosives Act and subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They remained in police custody as Counter Terrorism Policing took charge of the investigation.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said. “We are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.”
Authorities established a 400-metre cordon around the vehicles, while an army explosive ordnance disposal unit examined them. Around 85 nearby households were advised to evacuate as a precaution.
Images from the area showed a bomb disposal robot operating near three white vans in woodland close to the base. Witnesses later reported hearing what appeared to be controlled explosions.
US President Donald Trump praised the joint response, saying British and American authorities had been monitoring the suspects “for a long time.” No details were released about the suspects’ identities or a possible motive.
RAF Fairford serves as a forward operating location for the US Air Force’s Global Strike Command and has been used by US B-1 long-range bombers during operations against Iran. Authorities are examining a possible link to Iran, but have not announced any conclusion.
A US Air Force spokesperson said the service would not discuss specific protection measures for operational security reasons, adding that it remained vigilant and would take appropriate steps to protect personnel, civilians, contractors and their families.
UK police evacuate homes near air base used by US forces
Earlier, the British police evacuated homes near RAF Fair ford air base.
Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident in the nearby village of Whelford and said army bomb disposal specialists were examining several vehicles. Residents were taken to a leisure center, and a police cordon was established. Police said they believed the incident was contained.
A Reuters eyewitness said armed officers had blocked access to the base’s main gate and equipment had been positioned in front of access points. Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in Fairford.
The British government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident and declined further comment while the investigation continued. A U.S. Air Force spokesperson declined to discuss specific security measures but said its units in Britain remained vigilant and would take appropriate steps to protect service members, civilian staff, contractors and their families.
Britain has authorized U.S. forces to use RAF Fairford for strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned in July that any base used for such strikes would be considered a legitimate target. Police have not said whether Sunday’s arrests are connected to the base.
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