UK arrests several men, evacuates homes near air base used by US forces
British police arrested several men on suspicion of Explosives Act offences near RAF Fairford, the base used by US air forces, and evacuated homes in a nearby village after declaring a major incident.
Gloucestershire police said on Sunday that several men had been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act near RAF Fairford, an air base in southwest England used by United States air forces. Authorities have begun evacuating a number of homes in the nearby village of Whelford after declaring what they described as a major incident.
According to a Reuters eyewitness, armed police were blocking access to the base's main gate, while roughly 30 emergency vehicles — including police cars, ambulances and fire engines — gathered in the village of Fairford. The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is currently examining a number of vehicles as part of the operation.
Background on Fairford's role
The British government had previously authorised the United States to use RAF Fairford to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In July, Britain said its armed forces stood ready to defend the country against any attack after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned against allowing US bombers to fly from Fairford.
A US Air Force spokesperson declined to discuss specific force protection measures, saying the 501st Combat Support Wing and other UK-based wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate action to protect service members, civilians, contractors and their families.
Separately, British ministers have briefed operators of critical infrastructure about threats linked to Russia, amid growing government concern over possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies conducting hybrid attacks against Western nations.
