US withdraws bombers from RAF Fairford following terror investigation
Quick Look
- The US has withdrawn all bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after an incident involving suspicious vehicles led to the arrest and release of six men on terror-related suspicions, including a UK-Iranian national.
- UK officials have suggested Iranian involvement, which Tehran denies.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
RAF Fairford has been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force for decades. On 27 September, police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base, leading to the arrest of six men on terror-related suspicions.
The US has withdrawn all of its bombers from RAF Fairford, the British military base at the centre of an incident being investigated by counter terror police.
A statement from a US department official confirmed on Sunday it had removed all of its bombers from the base back to their home stations in America.
The US did not give a reason for the withdrawal, but it follows a major incident on 27 September when police were alerted to three "suspicious vehicles" near the airbase in Gloucestershire.
Five men were initially arrested on suspicion of terror offences near the base and subsequently released on police bail. A sixth man, a UK-Iranian national, was also later arrested and released on bail.
Days after the incident, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" that Iran had played a part in the incident. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement.
Initially, five men aged between 23 and 25 were arrested in the early hours of the morning after vehicles were reported to be travelling towards the base operated by the US Air Force (USAF). All five were UK nationals from London.
They were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, before being released on bail in what police called an "investigative decision" that was "grounded in experience and strategy".
The sixth man, aged 25, was arrested in London on Thursday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. Counter terror police confirmed on Saturday he had also been released on bail.
RAF Fairford has been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force (USAF) for decades.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
UK counter-terrorism police will continue investigating the incident at RAF Fairford.
Very likely · Within weeks
The US will not redeploy bombers to RAF Fairford until the investigation concludes.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What was the nature of the suspicious vehicles' activity near RAF Fairford?
- What evidence led to the suggestion of Iranian involvement in the incident?
- Why were all six suspects released on bail despite initial terror-related arrests?
- What prompted the US to withdraw all bombers from RAF Fairford?
