Major counter-terror probe launched over explosives threat near UK air base

London: UK counter-terrorism police are heading an investigation following the arrest of several men on suspicion of Explosives Act offences near a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in a UK village on Sunday.

Gloucestershire Constabulary declared a "major incident" after the military deployed a bomb squad and ordered local evacuations in Whelford, located in south-west England adjacent to RAF Fairford.

A UK government spokesperson confirmed that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is receiving regular updates on the developments at the air base, which serves as a major hub for US Air Force personnel and missions.

Following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, the British government granted the American military authorisation to utilise the Fairford facility to carry out strikes against Iranian missile positions.

"The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles," Gloucestershire police said.

"The local residents are being evacuated to a nearby leisure centre. A cordon is currently in place, but we'd like to reassure people that we believe this incident is contained," it stated.

Government officials confirmed that counter-terrorism officers are leading the ongoing probe. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting commended the "specialist teams" for taking "swiftly" action, emphasising that the "Armed Forces are on standby 24/7".

Also read: Mojtaba Khamenei 'pulled from rubble' after hospital strike: Report  

"We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing," a UK government spokesperson said.

RAF Fairford has played a key role in launching US military operations targeting Iran amid the continuing conflict in West Asia. Addressing safety protocols, a US Air Force spokesperson declined to elaborate on specific force protection strategies, but noted that the "501st combat support wing and our fellow UK-based wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families."

"We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families," the spokesperson said.

The security incident comes on the heels of a July warning from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which explicitly threatened to target RAF Fairford alongside veiled threats directed at the "British monarchy regime". (PTI)