British police detained five men near Fairford airbase

British police reported the arrest of five people in connection with the incident at Fairford Air Force Base.

Earlier, police reported a “major incident” near the air base and declared a state of emergency.

"At approximately 0.45am (2.45am GMT), police received a report of three suspicious vehicles heading towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers attended the scene and subsequently detained five men in the Welford area on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. The men are in custody," Gloucestershire Police said in a statement.

The incident site remains cordoned off. Residents of 85 nearby houses were advised to evacuate as a precaution. The incident is being investigated by counter-terrorism police.

Fairford base is the only base in Europe where American strategic bombers land. From there they flew to bomb Iraq and Yugoslavia. In March, British authorities allowed the United States to use the base for attacks on Iran. According to the UK, American aircraft can only use the base for “defensive” operations. Previously, protests against the aggression of the United States were held near the base.