Police have evacuated homes near an airbase in the United Kingdom used by the United States military and arrested several men on suspicion of explosives-related offences.
âÂÂThe armyâÂÂs specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently â examining a number of vehicles,â Gloucestershire police said on Sunday, adding that âÂÂa major incidentâ had been declared.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 items- list 1 of 3Northern Ireland protesters block Catholic area before Orange Order march
- list 2 of 3What next for Man City as fallout from 115 charges rumbles â all to know
- list 3 of 3Pro-Palestine Action group to rally at Labour conference led by Burnham
Residents from a number of properties in Whelford, southwestern England, were being taken to a nearby leisure centre. Police said several men had been arrested âÂÂon suspicion of offences under the Explosives ActâÂÂ.
The town is located near RAF Fairford, an airbase that US forces have used for strikes during the US-Israel war on Iran.
A Reuters reporter at the scene said armed police had blocked access to the baseâÂÂs main gate, while equipment had been placed in front of entry points.
About 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the nearby town of Fairford.
Gloucestershire Police said in a statement they would like âÂÂto reassure people that we believe this incident is containedâÂÂ.
There was no immediate information about what had prompted the arrests, whether explosives were found, or if the suspected offences were connected to the airbase.
The US Air Force said it was aware of reports about the incident but declined to discuss specific security measures.
A spokesperson said the 501st Combat Support Wing, a US Air Force unit in Britain, and other US units based in the country remained vigilant and would take steps needed to protect personnel and their families.
In March, three US B-1B Lancer bombers touched down at RAF Fairford after what is believed to be the first US strike mission against Iran launched from a British base,during the war on Iran.
IranâÂÂs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful military force that operates alongside the countryâÂÂs regular armed forces, warned in July that bases used to launch attacks on Iran could be treated as legitimate targets.
Authorities have not linked SundayâÂÂs arrests to Iran or said RAF Fairford was a target.