Several men were arrested under Britain’s Explosives Act and residents were evacuated near RAF Fairford as military bomb-disposal specialists examined vehicles and counterterrorism police reportedly took the lead in the investigation.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
FAIRFORD, England — British authorities declared a major incident Sunday near RAF Fairford, a military installation used by U.S. forces for operations against Iran, after several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and residents were ordered from nearby homes.
Counterterrorism police were understood to be leading the investigation into the Sept. 27 incident, although authorities had not publicly identified a motive or said the arrests were connected to terrorism. The operation was not intelligence-led, according to reporting on the investigation, meaning authorities were not previously aware of a suspected plot.
The emergency response centered on Whelford, a village about 2 miles from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Residents from a number of properties were evacuated to a nearby leisure center while the British Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team examined multiple vehicles.
Gloucestershire Police said several men had been arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. The circumstances surrounding the arrests and the contents of the vehicles had not been publicly disclosed.
“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident,” police said. “It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles.”
Police said the immediate threat appeared to have been brought under control.
“A cordon is currently in place but we’d like to reassure people that we believe this incident is contained,” police said.
Authorities added that they were “working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place.”
The response involved a substantial emergency services deployment. About 30 police, ambulance and fire vehicles were stationed around Fairford, while armed officers blocked access to the air base’s main gate and equipment was positioned at other entry points, according to eyewitness reporting. A Hazardous Area Response Team was also seen in the area.
The initial reports of the evacuations and explosives arrests drew additional attention because of RAF Fairford’s role in current U.S. military operations.
RAF Fairford hosts U.S. Air Force personnel and has been used to deploy American bombers during the conflict with Iran. The British government authorized the United States to use the base for strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. U.S. B-1B Lancer bombers have been among the aircraft operating from the Gloucestershire installation.
American bombers have operated from Fairford since the Iran conflict began Feb. 28. Earlier in the year, the British government described its authorization as permitting U.S. use of British bases for specific and limited defensive operations intended to prevent Iranian missile attacks in the region.
The base’s role has also made it a focus of anti-war demonstrations.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside RAF Fairford’s main gates in July to demand that Britain withdraw permission for U.S. forces to use British bases in the Iran war. The demonstration followed an operation involving a U.S. B-1 bomber stationed at Fairford. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Fairford Action were among the groups involved.
An earlier demonstration in April drew as many as 200 protesters near the base as U.S. aircraft continued operations against Iran.
Security concerns surrounding Fairford had already intensified before Sunday’s arrests. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned in July that bases used in attacks against Iran could be regarded as legitimate targets. Britain responded at the time by saying its armed forces were prepared to defend the country against attack.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being kept informed about Sunday’s investigation, according to the government.
“We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe,” a British government spokesperson said. “It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing.”
Defense Secretary Wes Streeting also said the incident was “being dealt with” and thanked emergency personnel for acting “so swiftly.”
“It is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7,” Streeting said.
The U.S. Air Force declined to provide details about specific protective measures at RAF Fairford but said units based in Britain remained alert.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” an Air Force spokesperson said.
“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
Authorities had not announced the identities of those arrested, what investigators discovered in the vehicles or whether the incident had any connection to RAF Fairford’s military role or the conflict with Iran. Police continued to maintain the security cordon while the investigation remained underway Sunday.
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