The investigation into a suspected terror plot near a British airbase used by US forces to strike Iran was mired in confusion after reports suggested that no explosives were found in vehicles seized at the site of the incident.
What do we know about the incident?
The Times newspaper and a few other UK media have reported that police found no traces of explosives at the site and in vehicles seized there, easing fears of an attack being foiled. However, this left behind a trail of questions, even as armed guards continued to maintain a cordon around a nearby village, and police patrolled around the airfield, AFP reported. Three white vans were discovered near the base.
Following the incident, United States alleged the hand of a “foreign actor” in the incident, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming “what could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation”, Fox News reported. A source familiar to the situation told Reuters that the three large white vans the arrested men were travelling in had not contained viable explosives. The cops said officers had conducted an “extensive” examination of the vehicles with the help of “military assets” and forensic experts, but did not disclose any findings. However, the firm, in a statement on its website, said “neither the vehicle nor any of the individuals involved has any connection whatsoever with Fuel2U”, while adding that it was cooperating with the police in the investigation into the incident.
The UK police had declared a major incident at the RAF Fairford base in western England after five men were arrested there on Sunday last week, Reuters news agency reported. However, the five men, all London-based Britons in their mid-20s, were released on bail on Monday.
