The United States has withdrawn all its bombers from the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, UK, following a suspected terror incident. A US department official confirmed the withdrawal on Sunday. The move comes after a major incident on September 27, when counter-terror police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase. The incident led to the arrest of several individuals on terror-related charges.
On September 27, police arrested five men, all London-based UK nationals aged 23 to 25, on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act. They were later released on bail. A sixth suspect, a 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, was also arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and subsequently released on bail. The arrests were made by counter-terror police, who are continuing to investigate the incident.
The UK Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on the bomber removal or the ongoing investigation. However, Whitehall sources have not disputed that Washington's decision was a response to the incident. The BBC was told that the decision was a military, not political, one, communicated at an operational level. The incident has raised concerns about the security of the airbase and the potential involvement of foreign actors.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham later said there were strong indications of Iranian involvement, though no details were provided. Tehran has denied any role in the incident. The UK government has not commented on the nature of the evidence or the specific threats posed. The incident has strained relations between the UK and Iran, with both countries exchanging accusations.
RAF Fairford has long served as a forward operating location for US bombers, and in recent months, aircraft have launched from the base for defensive strikes against Iran after UK approval. The base has played a critical role in supporting US military operations in the region. The withdrawal of the bombers has raised questions about the future of US-UK cooperation on military operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on Fox News, suggested a foreign actor was clearly involved in the incident. He did not provide further details but emphasized the need for close cooperation between the US and UK to address the threat. President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the bail releases and affirmed close US-UK cooperation on security issues.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing security concerns in the region and the need for vigilance. The UK and US have pledged to work together to address the threat and ensure public safety. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as they become available.
Key points
- The US has withdrawn all its bombers from RAF Fairford amid a suspected terror incident involving suspicious vehicles and arrests.
- The incident has raised concerns about Iranian involvement, which Tehran has denied.
- The withdrawal of the bombers has raised questions about the future of US-UK cooperation on military operations.
