Police in the United Kingdom have evacuated residents from homes near an airbase used by the United States military and arrested several men over suspected explosives-related offences.
Gloucestershire Police said on Sunday that residents of several properties in Whelford, southwestern England, were being moved to a nearby leisure centre as specialist bomb disposal officers examined a number of vehicles.
The police declared a major incident, while armed officers blocked access to the main entrance of RAF Fairford, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene.
Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were deployed in the nearby town of Fairford.
Police said the incident was contained and urged residents not to panic.
The US Air Force said it was aware of reports about the incident but declined to provide details about specific security measures. It said US military units in Britain remained vigilant and would take necessary steps to protect their personnel and families.
RAF Fairford has been used by US forces during the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. In March, three US B-1B Lancer bombers arrived at the base following what was believed to be the first US strike mission against Iran launched from a British base.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned in July that military bases used to launch attacks against Iran could be considered legitimate targets.
However, British authorities have not linked Sunday’s arrests to Iran, and there was no immediate indication that RAF Fairford itself was the target of any planned attack.
Police have also not confirmed whether explosives were found or what prompted the arrests.
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