US Issues Urgent Warning to Citizens in UK After RAF Fairford Arrests
US Issues Urgent Warning to Citizens in UK After RAF Fairford Arrests
The US Embassy in London has warned American citizens to 'exercise caution' across the UK after five men were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of a terror plot. Discover the latest details.
The US Embassy in London has issued an urgent warning to American citizens in the United Kingdom, urging them to “exercise caution” following the arrest of five men near RAF Fairford. The arrests were made on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offences, prompting concerns about facilities and gatherings associated with the US potentially being at “heightened risk.”
The incident unfolded on Sunday morning when armed police arrested the men near the Gloucestershire airbase. A major incident was declared, leading to the evacuation of 85 homes. US President Donald Trump quickly weighed in, claiming the alleged plot was “looking to do big damage” to the US bombers stationed at the base.
There have been numerous reports suggesting British authorities are investigating a potential link to Iran.
The US Embassy's statement encouraged citizens to review their personal safety plans and inform family and friends.
The U.S. Embassy is aware of arrests on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near the Royal Air Force base in Fairford, UK. U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise caution and be mindful of personal security,
the statement read, adding that UK authorities rate the threat of terrorism as “severe.”
Police were first alerted around 12:45 AM on Sunday after a call reported three suspicious vehicles heading towards the airbase. Four USAF bombers had landed at RAF Fairford earlier this spring, following permission granted by then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer for “defensive” US actions against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.
Following the arrests, aerial footage from Welford, near the base, showed a British Army bomb disposal squad examining three vans.
While Washington has praised the swift response, hailing US-British cooperation, no official declaration of a terrorist incident has been made as of Monday morning.
Trump stated, “They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great… We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.
Thank you.”
However, experts have questioned Trump's claims of a long-term surveillance operation, noting that a local farmer was the one who alerted authorities after spotting masked and hooded men near the vans. Whitehall officials have clarified that this was not an “intelligence-led operation.” The farmer expressed concern about security at RAF Fairford, stating, "It shouldn’t be necessary for someone like [me]” to alert authorities.
