‘Planned To Do Big Damage’: Trump After UK Police Arrest Five Terror Suspects Near Airbase

Last Updated:September 27, 2026, 9:52 PM IST

President Trump praised the UK arrests of five terror suspects planning an attack on a UK base housing US troops. He stated the suspects were under long-term investigation.

Trump claimed the terror suspects were planning a big plot against the UK base that houses American troops and aircraft.(News18 Media Gallery)

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed the action taken against terror suspects in the United Kingdom as “fantastic”, claiming the five arrested men were planning a big plot against the UK base that houses American troops and aircraft.

“The arrest in the UK was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great,” Trump said while on a visit to Chicago. “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” he added.

Police Examine Suspicious Vehicles Traveling Towards UK Base

The arrests came after police received a call around 12:45 am (local time) about three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Armed officers subsequently arrested five men in nearby Whelford. They were initially held on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation, while an Army explosive ordnance disposal team is examining the vehicles. Authorities established a 400-metre cordon and evacuated around 85 households from the area as a precaution.

‘Deeply Concerning Incident’: UK PM On Counter-Terrorism Op

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident near RAF Fairford was a matter of concern for local residents and thanked the police, counter-terrorism teams and armed forces involved in the operation. He also expressed gratitude to residents evacuated as a precaution and stressed that public safety remained the government’s “first priority”, while urging people not to speculate as the investigation continues.

The incident occurred near RAF Fairford, which hosts US Air Force personnel and has been used by American forces for limited strikes against Iran during the ongoing conflict. However, British authorities have not confirmed any link between the arrests and Iran or established whether the suspects were targeting the base.

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Why did UK police arrest five men near the RAF Fairford airbase?

Five men were arrested after armed police intercepted suspicious vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. They were initially detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

How did US President Donald Trump react to the arrests near RAF Fairford?

US President Donald Trump hailed the police action as fantastic while visiting Chicago, claiming that the suspects had been under investigation and were planning big damage to the American base.

What safety measures were implemented following the security incident in Whelford?

Authorities established a 400-metre cordon and evacuated around 85 households from the area as a precaution. The British Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was also deployed to examine the suspicious vehicles.

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Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More

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