Five arrested in Britain over suspected terrorist attack near RAF Fairford, Trump: They would have caused major damage

United States President Donald Trump has reacted to the arrest in Britain of five people suspected of preparing a terrorist attack near RAF Fairford air base. He described the intervention by British authorities as a “fantastic” development.

Speaking to reporters in Illinois, Trump said the suspects intended to cause “major damage” and stressed the importance of cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom.

“We have been following them for a long time and finally caught them,” the US president said. Trump provided no further information about any possible involvement by US agencies in the operation.

According to British police authorities, the incident was reported at around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, when the presence of three suspicious vehicles heading toward RAF Fairford was reported.

Armed police officers immediately went to the scene and arrested five men suspected of preparing a terrorist act.

The area around the vehicles was cordoned off with a 400-meter security perimeter. Meanwhile, a special British Army bomb disposal team is carrying out searches.

Police have classified the situation as a “major incident,” but said that, based on the current assessment, it is under control.

For security reasons, 85 nearby homes were temporarily evacuated. Investigations into the circumstances of the arrests are ongoing.