Emergency services responded on Sunday to an incident near RAF Fairford in Whelford, England. Police evacuated local residents as a precautionary measure, relocating them to a nearby leisure center. The situation has been contained, according to Gloucestershire police.
Several men have been arrested on suspicion of violating the Explosives Act. Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation. Army bomb-disposal units are inspecting multiple vehicles in the area.
RAF Fairford has been used by U.S. forces for targeted strikes against Iran following the onset of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28. The U.K. provided permission for American forces to utilize the base for operations against Iranian missile sites.
While police have not confirmed any direct connection between the arrests and the air base, a security cordon remains in place. Wes Streeting, Britain’s Defense Secretary, expressed gratitude for the rapid response from emergency and specialist teams, emphasizing confidence in the containment of the situation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being kept informed of the situation, as stated by his office. Meanwhile, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson at RAF Fairford assured that personnel remain vigilant, though specifics regarding security measures were not disclosed.
“We continually assess various factors to determine necessary actions to protect our installations, people, and their families,” the spokesperson commented.