The UK has been warned of a new terror plot after the US rushed to remove all bombers from RAF Fairford. Over the weekend, the Air Force withdrew all 12 B-1 bombers from the air base in Gloucestershire after new threats were reportedly received about an Iran-backed plot, according to two US officials on Sunday.
Urgent withdrawal of bombers
The need to move the bombers from the RAF base was deemed very urgent, with some planes and their flight crews left while aerial refueling aircraft were still being scrambled to support their flights, reports the NY Times. The officials added that at least three of the planes had landed at their home base in South Dakota by Sunday.
The Pentagon’s European Command confirmed that the bombers had left England but declined to comment on any new warnings.
Arrests and investigation
On Saturday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said a sixth man arrested in connection with events at RAF Fairford had been released on bail. The 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism and then bailed. Three suspicious vans were spotted near the military site last weekend.
Official statements and background
A Pentagon official said on Sunday: “US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements.
“While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.
“The airmen that operate America’s bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States – anywhere, anytime.”
Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans previously said the investigation was “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”. She added: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident. The air base has been used by US bombers in recent months after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted the US permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
