Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives-related offenses, following an alert near the U.S. Air Force base RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, in southwestern England.
According to the latest police update, it all began around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, when authorities received a call about three suspicious vehicles heading toward RAF Fairford.
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Armed police officers rushed to the scene and arrested five men on suspicion of offenses under explosives legislation. The suspects were taken to a police station and remain in custody.
A 400-meter security perimeter has been established around the suspicious vehicles, while a specialized British Army bomb disposal unit is examining them. The police have classified the incident as a “major incident,” noting, however, that they believe the situation is under control.
As a precaution, approximately 85 households were asked to evacuate their homes. For those who cannot stay with relatives or friends, a nearby recreation center has been opened.
The police announced that they are in constant communication with the relevant authorities at the local and national levels and, most importantly, that they are working closely with British counterterrorism officials as investigations continue to determine the exact nature of the incident.
Authorities have not yet announced what was found in the three vehicles, nor have they confirmed that the five men were planning an attack on RAF Fairford.
RAF Fairford is one of the most important facilities used by the U.S. Air Force in Britain. The base is home to U.S. B-1B Lancer strategic bombers and has been used for U.S. operations in the Middle East.
The case takes on particular significance due to tensions with Iran and previous threats against facilities used for U.S. military operations.
So far, however, there is no official evidence linking the five detainees to Iran or to any specific terrorist organization. British authorities are asking the public to refrain from speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
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Source: KYPE
