Terrorism Arrests Near Airbase
Five men are arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following a major terrorism investigation.
Anonymous
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base, which is used by the US Air Force. Bomb-disposal teams examined the vehicles, and about 85 nearby households were evacuated as a precaution. US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation for some time and were seeking to cause “big damage,” and praised cooperation with British authorities. British police said the investigation is at an early stage and the men remain in custody; authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive or the full circumstances. Reports linking Iran to a possible plot remain unverified.
Key Points
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Gloucestershire Police said chemicals and materials for explosives were found in a suspicious vehicle about two miles from RAF Fairford.
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RAF Fairford hosts the US Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and 420th Air Base Squadron. The base has also been used for US strikes against Iranian sites; Iran has objected to that use and has suggested a base used to attack its territory could be a legitimate target.
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A Whelford resident told the Press Association she saw about 10 hooded or balaclava-wearing people near three vans blocking the road and called 999; she said police arrived about 15 minutes later.
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The incident prompted authorities to declare a major incident, and police established a 400-metre cordon around the vehicles while Army personnel examined them.
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