US withdraws bombers from British air base after terror plot probe

The United States has withdrawn its bombers from the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Fairford in Britain, British broadcaster BBC reports. US officials confirmed on October 4 that about a dozen B-1 bombers had left the base and returned to their home bases. No public reason was given, but the move follows an incident on September 27, when police received reports of three suspicious vehicles near the base.

Arrests and investigation

Five British citizens aged 23 to 25, all living in London, were initially arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of moving explosives and preparing a terrorist act. They were released on bail. A sixth man was arrested on October 1 and also released on bail on October 3.

Sources within the British government have not disputed that the bomber withdrawal is linked to the incident near the RAF base, and BBC understands it was a military rather than political decision, discussed with British counterparts. The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on the withdrawal.

Suspected Iranian involvement

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were serious indications of Iranian involvement in the incident, without providing further detail. Tehran has denied any involvement. RAF Fairford has been used in recent months as a stopover for US B-1 and B-52 bombers en route to the Middle East, after Britain allowed the base to be used in preparations for strikes on Iran. In July, Iran stated that any base linked to strikes against it would become a legitimate target for its forces.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News, before the sixth arrest, that other countries were involved in the incident, without elaborating. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed surprise that the five men were released on bail.

Many of the withdrawn B-1 bombers are equipped with guided bunker-buster bombs with thicker casings for striking hardened or underground targets, and can also carry air-to-surface missiles. The Pentagon has stressed its bombers remain capable of carrying out missions anywhere, at any time, even when launched from the continental United States, though such missions could now take 12 to 15 hours with mid-air refueling.