Five suspects arrested after explosives found near RAF Fairford, Whelford homes cleared

UPDATE - follow-up to Homes evacuated near UK military base after 5 men with 'explosives' arrested; bomb squad called in: Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences after a major incident was declared at RAF Fairford, a U.S.-used air base in southwest England. Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation and have called in a bomb disposal squad to examine several vehicles linked to the suspects. Gloucestershire police said residents of a number of properties in the nearby village of Whelford were moved to a local leisure centre as a precaution. Police described the situation at the air base as contained and have reinforced base entrances and set up road blocks around the area. About 30 emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines and police cars, were seen parked in Fairford village while a helicopter hovered overhead. The British government confirmed that Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being briefed on the incident. A government spokesperson thanked the emergency services for their swift action and said no further comment would be made while investigations continue. Defence Minister Wes Streeting also thanked the specialist teams on X, stating that the community can be reassured the incident is being handled. The base has previously been used by the United States to strike Iranian missile sites in the Strait of Hormuz, a role that prompted a July threat from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that any such base would be a legitimate target.