5 held in UK for suspected plot to attack air base used by US
Five men were arrested in a UK village on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack against an RAF base used by the US Air Force. Authorities evacuated local residents while bomb disposal teams investigated suspicious vehicles found near the site.
Why it matters
The incident underscores ongoing security concerns regarding military installations and the potential for domestic terror threats.
LONDON: Five men were arrested by police early Sunday morning in a tiny village in UK’s Gloucestershire on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks at a military base used by the US Air Force.At 12.45am local time, Gloucestershire police received a call from a resident of Whelford, relating to three suspicious white vans travelling towards RAF Fairford.Whelford is a one-minute car drive from the military base which is heavily populated by the US Air Force and has been used by the US to launch its bombers against Iran since March.Armed officers responded and arrested five men on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act. They were then further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.On Sunday night, they remained in custody and counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation.Photos showed the suspects lying in the road shirtless and handcuffed surrounded by armed officers.
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