5 Men arrested near UK air base wanted to cause ‘big damage’ Trump says
British counterterrorism in Gloucestershire responded to reports of three “suspicious vehicles” traveling toward RAF Fairford
Five Men Arrested Near RAF Fairford
British counterterrorism police have detained five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after three vans were reportedly seen heading toward RAF Fairford, a military air base in western England that has been used by U.S. bombers in strikes against Iran.
Police Launch Security Operation
Police received a report about the vehicles shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday. Armed officers later arrested the five men in the nearby village of Whelford. The British Army also deployed a bomb-disposal robot to inspect the vans, while around 85 households were evacuated from an area within a roughly 400-meter cordon.
Authorities said the situation has been contained and that no one has been charged. Police have not released the identities or nationalities of the men.
Trump Says Suspects Planned ‘Big Damage’
US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do “big damage” and had been under investigation by British and US authorities.
Police, however, said the operation began after a report about suspicious vehicles. A local farmer told the Daily Telegraph that she contacted police after seeing the vans and a group of men running toward nearby trees while she was returning home from a party.
The men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and are now being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Under Britain’s Terrorism Act, suspects can be held for up to 14 days without charge.
