U.S. had British terrorism suspects under surveillance for ‘a long time,’ Trump says
by Susan Ferrechio, Ben Wolfgang · The Washington TimesPresident Trump said Sunday that the United States was working with the United Kingdom to capture a group of men arrested outside RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism.
The five men were arrested after police received calls about suspicious vehicles driving toward the air force base, which is used by U.S. military personnel.
Mr. Trump, speaking Sunday to reporters before boarding Air Force One, said the two countries worked together to capture the men.
People were interested in these podcasts
“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,” Mr. Trump said.
The president said the U.S. may have been working with Scotland Yard on surveilling the men.
“We worked with a lot of them. We had them under view for a long time and we got them,” Mr. Trump said.
The suspects were taken into custody on “suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act,” according to British authorities.
Police in Gloucestershire said the arrests followed a call alerting them to three suspicious vehicles heading toward RAF Fairford, a military installation about a mile from Whelford and a site U.S. forces have used to launch airstrikes against Iran.
Advertisement Advertisement
The base hosts several key U.S. military units, including the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron
The incident comes at a delicate moment in the U.S.-Iran conflict and just days after top Iranian military leaders threatened to “change the geography of the war” if Mr. Trump renews airstrikes against Iran.
British authorities on Sunday did not suggest any links between Iran and the incident near RAF Fairford.
Contact the author
Susan Ferrechio
sferrechio@washingtontimes.com
Follow author updates Follow Click to follow. Manage followed authors
Ben Wolfgang
Follow author updates Follow Click to follow. Manage followed authors