UK insists RAF Fairford is safe after US withdraws bombers
The US military has withdrawn its B-1 bomber fleet from RAF Fairford in the UK following reports of new security threats. While Downing Street maintains the base remains secure, officials acknowledge the move is linked to ongoing counter-terror investigations involving potential Iran-backed plots.
Why it matters
The withdrawal of strategic military assets due to security threats highlights escalating tensions and the vulnerability of international military cooperation.
The US has withdrawn all of its bombers from RAF Fairford./SCREENGRAB
Downing Street has insisted RAF Fairford is safe after the US withdrew all of its bombers from the military base.
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday it had removed its bombers - thought to be about a dozen B-1s - from the base back to their home stations in America.
US media reported a new threat led to the bombers being removed, which follows a major incident on 27 September when police were alerted to three "suspicious vehicles" near the airbase.
A Number 10 spokesperson said he would not comment on "foreign nations' military operations", but said the base was safe, and pointed to US President Donald Trump's comments last week, where he "praised our police, defence and security services" in relation to the base.
Also covering this story
12 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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U.S. B-1 bombers evacuated from UK base after attack threats from Iran - Axios
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