Five Arrested in UK Over Alleged Plot to Attack RAF Fairford: What We Know So Far

• by Shimanta Das
• October 30, 2026

Five men have been arrested in the UK over an alleged plot to attack RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire, according to police. The arrests are part of a major counterterrorism investigation that has seen seven men detained in total, with five remaining on police bail. None of the suspects has been charged. The case has raised concerns about foreign interference and the security of military installations.

The investigation began after authorities received intelligence about a potential threat to the base. Dozens of residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution while a major counterterrorism probe was launched. Police have said that while some circumstances remain unclear, they are confident that the activity was conducted on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. This suggests the alleged plot may be state-sponsored, though officials have not named the country involved. The base, which hosts US Air Force operations, has been a focal point of security concerns in the past.

Among those arrested was an Iranian national who was detained on October 1. Prosecutors allege that one suspect, identified as Abdulkarim, aided another individual named Ali by buying equipment for the mission and receiving multiple payments totaling around £70,000. All five of those men were also released on bail, but police said they remained under investigation and would be monitored. As of Tuesday, six men remain free on bail in relation to the incident, four of whom were arrested on September 1. The other five remain on police bail, and the arrests bring the total number of men held in the case to seven.

The five remaining suspects are on bail pending further inquiries. Police have not released additional details about the nature of the alleged plot or the specific targets within the base. The investigation continues, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant. While some of the circumstances remain unclear, we are confident that this activity was conducted on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, a police spokesperson said. The case highlights the ongoing threat of foreign interference and the importance of protecting national security assets. As the inquiry progresses, further arrests or charges may follow.