Police reported a serious incident near RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force airfield on the border of the English counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Several men were arrested on suspicion of offences involving explosives. An arrest on suspicion does not establish guilt.
Britain’s counter-terrorism police are leading the inquiry. Residents of nearby Whelford were evacuated to a leisure centre while police worked at the scene. The area has been cordoned off, and police believe nobody is currently in danger.
RAF Fairford is formally a British base but is also used by the United States Air Force. The report describes it as the only US base in Europe specifically maintained to host heavy bombers.
The article also sets out political context preceding the incident. In July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to defend the country against any attack. That statement followed a warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps urging London not to allow US bombers to take off from Fairford.
HVG reported that the airfield has been used since February to launch operations against Iran during the Middle East conflict. Police have not said whether the suspects or the incident are connected to that wider situation.