Men arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses near U.S. air base in Britain

LONDON — British police evacuated homes and arrested several men on suspicion of explosives offenses on Sunday near an air base that the U.S. Air Force had been using to facilitate strikes on Iran. A major incident was declared, with a massive emergency service presence seen around RAF Fairford, which is about 90 minutes outside London, close to the village of Whelford in west England. “A number of properties are currently being evacuated,” the Gloucestershire police force said in a statement, following the arrest of “several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.” It did not provide further details on the men detained or what they were suspected to have done.

“The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles,” the statement continued, adding that the incident was “contained.” Police did not confirm any link between the incident and the base. Helicopter footage from NBC News’ international partner Sky News showed multiple white vans close to the base seemingly being searched by a bomb disposal robot. Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, told Britain’s Press Association a resident had reported three “suspicious vans” in the village in the early hours of Sunday morning. Along with other residents, Tudsbery has since been evacuated to a nearby recreation center. The Reuters