Trump says UK terror suspects were looking to do ‘big damage’ near US air base

US President Donald Trump said suspects arrested in the UK were looking to do “big damage”, after British police detained five men near RAF Fairford, a military facility operated by the US Air Force.

Trump also described the arrests as “a great thing”, according to Reuters. UK police said the men were arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism and explosives offences.

Three suspicious vehicles were being searched and counter-terrorism officers were leading the investigation, the Associated Press reported.


It added that authorities have not yet said what the suspects were allegedly planning to target, and that there was no immediate indication that the case was connected to the US military presence or the war in Iran.

Why RAF Fairford matters

Located about 100 miles (160 km) west of London, RAF Fairford is used by the US Air Force as a forward operating location and houses the headquarters of its 501st Combat Support Wing. Its long runway allows it to accommodate heavy bombers and the facility has been used in several US military operations.

American B-1 and B-52 bombers also operated from the base during the US-Israeli war on Iran this year, according to reports.

Britain initially rejected Trump's request to use its bases for strikes on Iran. Then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer later agreed to allow US forces to conduct “defensive” operations from British bases against Iranian missiles and their launch sites, following attacks on UK interests and allies in the Gulf.

Whether that conflict is connected to Sunday's arrests remains unclear.

Security concerns around US bases

The arrests come as security has been heightened around some US military facilities in Britain. Local residents said the area around Fairford had appeared more heavily secured in recent days, with large vehicles positioned across entrance gates, the AP report said.

RAF Lakenheath, another US base in Britain, is currently on “Charlie” alert, the second-highest threat level used by the US Department of Defense.

It applies when an incident or intelligence indicates that some form of terrorist action targeting personnel or facilities is likely.

British police said 85 households had also been advised to evacuate as part of the operation, as per Reuters.