British police arrest several suspects for handling explosives around a military base
The Fairford base, in the southwest of England, is a facility used by the United States, also in the war against Iran
BarcelonaBritish police reported this Sunday that they have arrested several people for handling explosives near a military base with a US presence in the county of Gloucestershire, in southwest England. Authorities have indicated that a "major incident" has been declared and have established a security perimeter near the town of Whelford, close to the Royal Air Force base at Fairford, used by the United States Air Force during the war against Iran. Army bomb disposal experts are examining vehicles in the area and several homes have been evacuated.
"Currently, several properties are being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident. The measure comes after several men were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act," the official statement explains. In the note, law enforcement officials called for calm to "reassure the public" and reiterated that the incident "is under control."
The Fairford military base has been used by US military fighter jets as part of their operation against Iran, which began on February 28. Although at first the British government of the previous prime minister, Keir Starmer, denied the Donald Trump administration authorization to use its bases, in a later decision it gave the green light for this use provided it was to carry out defensive actions.
A spokesperson for the United States Air Force has assured that its personnel stationed at the base "remain vigilant." "The 501st Combat Support Wing [the USAF administrative unit permanently based at Fairford] remains vigilant, and we will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of our soldiers, as well as the civilians, contractors, and family members who reside there," the spokesperson said.