"CYA!! the RAF base bomb threat" Topic

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"Were they on a tea break?"

Five men arrested on suspicion of terror offences near RAF Fairford on Sunday are being released on bail,
says the head of UK counter terrorism policing
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor says the investigation is not over, and police are considering numerous angles, including whether proxies working on behalf of a foreign state could have been involved
The men – all UK nationals in their 20s who live in London – were arrested under the Explosives Act and on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act
Counter-terror police say they are "very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised".

The Iranian embassy in the UK denies any involvement

Released on bail. Crazy.

Released on BAIL!!!???

I'm going to go with mis-identified plane spotters.

Yes, Doc, released on bail. The lady who called it in said they were in 3 unidentified white vans with ski masks. Bizarre all around.

As Steve Spurrier used to say: "They're good boys, they all love their mothers."

Releasing terror suspects on bail. What could possibly go wrong?

Yeah, give them a chance to flee, that will work.

Do not understand this one. You let possible terroists out on bail? That would be like releasing a serial killer on bail. Uh???

The law only allows detention for a certain period of time then it is charge or bail. If there is insufficient evidence to charge, then bail is the option.
Of course, being on bail also allows for the option to see where they go, who they meet etc. I would bet that they are all under covert scrutiny. I think the experts know what they are doing.

SoS Rubio's statement on the terrorist incident:
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I'm even more surprised that the woman that reported them didn't get a two year sentence for racial profiling!

It is a shame that people want to jump to conclusions without waiting for the facts. Especially when those conclusions support predetermined anti Muslim sentiments.

There could be many reasons why the British police have released the suspects on bail. I will give you one possible reason, I am sure there are many more.
Let's say these men are well known petty criminals and they were recruited to move what they believed to be stolen property to a safe location in the area. Often some of the petty criminals are not the brightest of the population.
Now the party that recruited them actually substitutes explosives for what was believed to be stolen property, to get it in position for a major operation.
In this case it is unlikely that the men are any flight risk, they would be under pressure to cooperate and would be monitored. They probably have zero resources to flee even if they wanted to. Cooperation would be more assured if they are treated not as terrorists – which in this scenario they would not be,

Just one of many possible explanations. So let's wait for the facts.
There may well be a state actor involved. I will wait for the evidence before pointing the finger at Iran. Who knows, there could even be state actors that want to cause outrage against Iran to get the UK to join in combat operations.

So Martyn suggests the US tried to blow up its own airplanes?

Well, maybe it is time for the US to exit Britain.

Names aren't released about suspects to avoid compromising investigations and that goes for any offence.
We all know they are UK nationals of Middle Eastern appearance, that was reported already, not hidden.
Rubio is at least measured and sensible in his response. I would also suggest US spy agencies etc would be fully aware of the investigations and decisions to bail.
Let the professionals do their job.

And no, I don't watch mainstream media, I'm a card carrying right winger with 39yrs in law enforcement who trusts his professional colleagues.

Aegis – really?
I find the current position of the right wing media and their followers in the US to criticise and demonize European countries in order to justify excesses in their own policies somewhat offensive.
The continual misrepresentation of events in Europe are designed to sow fear of what could happen in the US if extreme action is not taken. As a collective I find the more right the politics, the more scared the people seem to be.
I have been told that I can't even go into my home town of Birmingham due to muslim gangs roaming the streets imposing Sharia law. Yet every time I go back to the UK I seem to manage to go out in Birmingham for an evening of beer and curry amongst some very friendly citizens.
There is a totally distorted view of Europe and the UK fueled by over hype of a few incidents. This post illustrates my point.

But the authorities here and abroad are always very quick to identify those who they attribute their motives to the "right".

Iran: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) explicitly designated RAF Fairford a "legitimate target" earlier in the summer due to its use by U.S. bombers.

Palestinian sympathizers? Yes they too are nut jobs. Even those who are non-Islamic.

Hired by the Russians? I guess an outside possibility, but not a good use of resources or even makes much sense.

Drug deal gone bad? I would not place any bets in Vegas on that.

Now some evidence garnered from the web.

There is a high likelihood that the suspects are connected to an Islamic extremist group or state actor, as officially confirmed by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice. [1]

A leaked law enforcement memo revealed that investigators found explicit evidence linking the individuals to a terrorist organization officially designated by the U.S. and FBI. While they have not publicly specified the group, this heavily points to either an Islamist group or a network connected to Iran's state-backed operations (like the IRGC).

However, because the individuals have not yet been named or formally indicted in court, there remains a narrow baseline chance they could be secular proxies or anti-war saboteurs. Security agencies have historically encountered paid criminal mercenaries recruited by foreign states (such as Russia or Iran) who do not share the state's ideology or religion but act purely for financial compensation. compensation.

Want more?

the areas the suspects are from have some of the highest migrant and diverse demographics in the United Kingdom.
London as a whole is incredibly diverse, with 41% of its population born outside the U.K. However, the three specific areas mentioned in the counter-terrorism investigation feature distinct demographic profiles: [1]

Area Location Context Demographic Breakdown (Official U.K. Census)
Willesden Part of the Borough of Brent in Northwest London Heavily Migrant & High Muslim Population: Only about 41.9% of the population was born in England. It features large diasporas from North Africa, Somalia, the Middle East, and South Asia, with a highly concentrated Muslim population (roughly 17% to 22% depending on the specific ward).
Westminster Central London Borough (Three suspects came from here) Highly Transient & Internationally Diverse: Westminster has a massive international population, with a net positive international migration rate. It includes affluent areas but also high-density immigrant neighborhoods, including Edgware Road, which is culturally known as London's primary Arabic and Middle Eastern hub.
Camden North London Borough High International Turnover: Camden features a massive university student population where 56% of the students are from overseas. It is a highly multi-ethnic borough with a massive mix of foreign-born residents.

The choice of these specific areas by counter-terrorism investigators aligns with the youthful profile of the suspects (ages 23–25). In the U.K., the Muslim population is structurally much younger than the general population—46% of British Muslims are under the age of 25, compared to just 29% of the wider U.K. public.

Yes would not hold up in court, but does seem to point away from militant Amish, the KKK, the IRA and many others.

It is a shame that so many are so quick to defend a specific group each time something like this happens, a group whose radical elements have perpetuated so many heinous acts of terrorism in the past and continue to do so.

I will point out, that even here, we know names within 3 days.

I believe the reason has more to do with issues like this:

Subject: Waves of masked vigilantes are raiding across England


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Doc mcb, you totally either missed or misrepresented my point. My point is that we know very little yet. I merely listed one of many alternative explanations.

In case of any confusion – I do not know what happened at this stage. I will wait for the facts to come out of the police investigation.

The other thing that I do know, is that others who are criticizing the UK police and their work/decisions also do not know what has happened at this stage.

Now I will say, there is at least another viable possibility. But it would not look good for British law enforcement.

Also that first quote in the last post was based on a supposedly "leaked" US memo. I am not a fan of leaked anything, so only take it at low probability.

But this option. It was botched by authorities and they are trying to cover bums.

The Tip-Off: In the early hours of Sunday, September 27, 2026, a local farmer driving home from a party spotted three white vans in the countryside village of Whelford, a few hundred yards from the airbase's runway access. She reported seeing men wearing balaclavas who fled into the darkness when illuminated by her headlights.

The Response: Armed police and the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team swarmed the area. An active major incident was declared, and roughly 85 surrounding homes were evacuated.

The Vehicles: Sky News aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot inspecting the three white trucks, where black items were seen scattered near the open rear doors.

The Forensics: While initial field assessments caused police to suspect the vehicles carried explosive materials, subsequent forensic testing by a source familiar with the investigation confirmed that no viable explosive devices or materials were found inside the vans.

Now the obvious question would be why? Why not try and assimilate the large influx of foreigners the country already has. Assimilation into English culture and the English language.

Shabana Mahmood has announced the reopening of a scheme to resettle refugees in the UK, as she hopes that offering "safe and legal" routes will deter small boat crossings.

The home secretary said the UK wants to "live up to our international obligations" by helping those who are fleeing war and persecution, but the process must be "capped and controlled".
The Home Office said the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) will reopen immediately and expects that around 25% of arrivals will be Afghan women and girls and Palestinians.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Mahmood was making a "desperate attempt to appease" people within Labour who have been critical of her asylum reforms.

I obviously agree with Farage. No, we are not "obligated" to take anyone in. In most cases, from situations of their own, or their parents making. So many we do bring in do not appreciate it and do their best to change our cultures and laws, to fit what they "fled" from. I don't need to mention names, some are in our own government.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the UK is "not obligated to take in more migrants", adding if his party was in power then those arriving under Labour's schemes would "not be able to stay".

He said: "If Labour are so sure the public wants their open borders policies, they'd call a general election to get a mandate."

In expressing his criticism, Farage also referenced a report in The Sunday Times about a former bodyguard to the leader of Hamas securing asylum and citizenship in the UK before "plotting" an attack against Jewish people in Europe.

Subject: Shabana Mahmood to reopen scheme to resettle refugees in the UK


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I am perplexed as well as to why the CPS (not the police) would elect to release the suspects so quickly.

Suspects can be detained for up to 14 day without charge under the Terrorism Act.

The fact that the UK Government is refusing to provide any information or reasoning to support the release of the suspects is also concerning.

Holding in the UK is 24 hours, which can be extended to 36 hours by a superintendent.
After that you can extend to 96 hours with a magistrates Court warrant for very serious charges.
14 days if for terrorism charges.
One interpretation of these numbers may be that they do not intend to charge under terrorism charges.

Martyn K – perhaps I have it wrong – but I understand that under the Terrorism Act suspects can be held for up to 14 days – without charge. I think it used to be 28 days before an amendment several years ago.

Yes, but it can't be abused. You can only hold people for 14 days without charge if you reasonably believe that you will be bringing terrorist related charges.

No explosives, possibly fuel thieves. Is that a thing in the UK: link

Martyn, I think I understood you.

Another option

A Scouting Mission, Not a Bombing Mission

The lack of explosives is the most confusing detail if you assume the suspects were there to blow up the base that morning. However, it "adds up" if this was a logistics or reconnaissance operation.

* Proxy networks often use low-level, local criminals or operators to test base security, photograph layouts, or pre-position supplies (like fuel).

* If the suspects were paid to scout the perimeter or drop off fuel for a future action, they wouldn't have been carrying weapons or bombs. This would explain both the lack of explosives and why U.S. intelligence claims to have had them "under view" for a while.

Covert MI5 vs. overt police: Why did the UK release the US air base terrorism suspects?

"…First, that this threat, at least in the aspiration of the suspects, was likely real. Were the men pranksters or protesters, we wouldn't have seen Trump's comments nor U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling an emergency national security council meeting. Terrorists sometimes use multiple vehicle explosive attacks in succession in an effort to break through security barriers and then conduct further attacks. But it is also inconceivable that U.K. authorities would allow terrorists to make the nearly two-hour drive from London to RAF Fairford while in possession of viable explosives in multiple vans. Even if a contained arrest site was established right outside of RAF Fairford, any improvised explosive devices might have been detonated there or accidentally somewhere else.

Second, it's worth noting that counterterrorism services sometimes clandestinely replace the explosives a terrorist cell is planning to use with inert/otherwise harmless substances. Was the intent thus to arrest the men as they attempted to detonate their explosives in a contained environment at RAF Fairford? Did MI5/Counter-Terrorism police believe this was a dry-run operation late at night to prepare for a daytime attack that would maximize casualties?

Third, there seems to have been a screw-up somewhere along the way. Why didn't MI5 or Counter-Terrorism police have an officer in the Gloucestershire Police control room to mitigate against the risk of calls from the public, for example?

Fourth, authorities will continue to conduct intelligence operations related to this incident over the coming days. Future arrests are probable…"

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Armand

Just keeps getting weirder

Perpetrator reported?

Police who responded to the alleged bomb plot against an American airbase on British soil were actually summoned by one of the suspects, a report states.

The claimed bomb plot against the de facto U.S. air base at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, in which no bomb was found and no suspects have been held under terrorism laws, has taken yet another strange turn after it was stated that police were not, in fact, first alerted to the incident by a farmer returning home late at night, but by one of the suspects themselves.

Five men were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning in the village of Whelford, which sits on the fringe of RAF Fairford, the British administrative name for one of the U.S. Air Force's most important overseas bases. According to revelations claimed by The Times of London, Britain's newspaper of record, police knew about the incident an hour earlier than previously thought because one of the masked men, "acting suspiciously" close to the airbase, called the emergency number 999 himself.

The security services were evidently expecting an attack at Fairford before the events of the early hours of Sunday morning. Because Fairford attracts a wide variety of exotic aircraft compared with other airports and airbases across the United Kingdom, it is perennially popular with plane-spotters, and this community noticed a sudden change in the security posture on Saturday, the day before.

…

Maybe is a job for the Slow Horses…but I still feel confident that the Brits know what they are doing.

The suspect calling lends some weight to the idea of getting hired from a possible state agency see below. Maybe he realised what he was now getting in to and thought best to get out.

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Well since we are using that to possibly steer away from possible radical Islamic connection.

Let's switch back to today.

Subject: Israel-Dubai flight: Netanyahu says pilot arrested after stabbing another pilot – BBC News


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Subject: Video shows alleged pilot, passengers covered in blood after FlyDubai altercation – YouTube


YouTube link

Side note: Funny as of 12:30 the information was not covered by CnN or MSNow network news. As at that 12:30 time Fox was interviewing survivors and had covered it since I got up this morning.

Anyway. Attempted hijacking and terrorist act was not committed by Russians, disgruntled environmentalists, the Inquisition, rabid Christians, radical Hindus, hare Krishna's, the Militant Army of the Shining Amish Cross….

Surprisingly we know more about this than the Brit Airport incident.

They have already identified it as a Jihadist attack.

Have any of the groups I mentioned hijacked planes and flew them into twin towers, the pentagon ….?

Do we all go through TSA checks and have had to remove our shoes because of any of those groups?

Or was it as a result of The 2001 Shoe Bomb Attempt and the The 2006 Liquid Bomb Plot?

So what went on in the Uk may not have been Muslims. The chances are it was. They are the most likely suspects based on location and if not directly Muslims, people hired by Iran.

All I want is the names and ethnicities. That would pretty much solve this.

The Israelis have given the ethnicity of the attempted terrorist already.

Kudos to the Islamic pilot stabbed who managed to kick the door open so passengers could storm the cockpit.

Yes. And of course TSA is largely useless. There will never be another hijacking because passengers will not allow it.

Of course anywhere crowds gather is a risk point.

Finally!!

CBS

U.K. believes Iran "played a part" in incident near RAF Fairford base used by U.S. forces, prime minister says

"There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation, and of course we are working closely with our colleagues in the United States of America," the prime minister told the BBC.

I would not be surprised if they instigated the hijacking today as well.

Also it looks like the pilot stabbed today by the terrorists may not be Muslim, but Indian.

Kudos to him then

Iran International

Netanyahu says Indian pilot saved 174 lives in flydubai incident

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the pilot attacked during the flydubai flight incident was Indian and identified him as Smit Machchhar.

Netanyahu said the pilot's actions saved 174 lives, including Israelis and other foreign nationals.

Israel says it gave the Uk a heads up that something could happen at this base.

That may be why politicians said they had heard about this beforehand.

A dual Iranian-British citizen has been arrested by counter-terrorism police in Britain in the wake of an allegedly foiled plot to attack a U.S. airbase on British soil last weekend.

A 27-year-old man, identified only as a dual Iranian-British national, has been arrested in Westminster, London, on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts, an offence under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act of 2006.

The man is the sixth arrest following a bomb alert at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police quickly released those five men on bail, prompting public confusion about a case where little is certain and apparently contradictory developments have characterised what little information has been made available to the public so far.

Now the individual above is out on bail. 🤔

How can we know so much, including the name of the jihadi terrorist, who attempted to crash a passenger get into Israel. Even that he was radicalized via the web to radical fundamentalist Islamic beliefs.

AXIOs, dw and many more.

Social Media Activity: The suspect, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, reportedly talked about "killing Jews" on social media platforms and underwent a rapid process of religious radicalization.

Prior Red Flags: Omani authorities had previously flagged al-Hammami for his extremist views. He was even removed from a job at Oman's national airline last year due to these security concerns.

Warning to Gaming Platforms: Following the attack, broader security assessments and 9 News reports highlighted warnings issued regarding extremist indoctrination filtering through interactive digital spaces and online gaming platforms.

Yet we still know so very little here, other than one person was a dual Iranian/uk citizen. 🤔

Doc, exiting Britain? Force projection is a key element in preserving global balance of power and influence. We are there and still in Europe as a force in being and all that represents to potential enemies. Staying or leaving is not about transactional financial BS, it's about the face of unity and the power behind it. Nothing has weakened the US more at home or abroad than lack of unity, and the end of walking (and talking) softly while holding the big stick.

All my opinion obviously, 35th is not a fan of peacetime alliances and he has his reasons. But of all the changes we are going through in global relationships, I do not see a plan that reflects other than casting about for financial deals these days. And while I applaud the attempt to do something about Iran after too many years of stumbling, running the war based on getting a deal instead of going all out after the terrorist fanatics running that country is not cutting it for me. We are a house divided. It may be a way to gain and hold political power, but everybody from Sun tzu to von Clausewitz to Lincoln knows what that means big picture.

Ok another that makes this incident so very strange. This directly in the Uk

Iran Internal

2 hours ago
Two Iranian men appear in UK court over alleged plot to bomb Manchester Jewish sites

Two Iranian men appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to target Manchester's Jewish community with a homemade bomb.

Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, are accused of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another person to do so on or before September 20.

Prosecutors said the pair obtained instructions for making a chlorine bomb, acquired liquids and other components for an improvised explosive device and carried out reconnaissance on potential targets.

The alleged targets included Heaton Park synagogue, where two British Jews were killed in an attack during last year's Yom Kippur service, and Manchester's Jewish Museum.

The court heard that the men were allegedly directed by another Iranian individual believed to be in Iran.

Both were remanded in custody and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on October 23.

Names and all. Notice of course… Iran.

Back to the attempted terrorist hijacking

1 hour ago
Australia investigating FlyDubai attacker's ties to radical Aussie mosques, extremist websites

Australian counterterrorism authorities are investigating the alleged FlyDubai hijacking suspect's links to the country after officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to seize control of a flight bound for Israel.

The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes federal police, state police and the ASIO intelligence agency, is "investigating the man's links to Australia," an Australian Federal Police spokesperson told Reuters.

The Financial Times reported Sunday that attacker had allegedly visited what it described as radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia, citing two people familiar with the investigation. Australian intelligence services held a file on the individual, according to the Financial Times.

Two sources briefed on the investigation told Reuters the co-pilot studied at a university in Melbourne, while a third source said he studied at RMIT University about a decade ago. RMIT declined to comment.

The co-pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 attacked the pilot with an emergency crash ax, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said Saturday, calling the incident a "terrorist attack."

Two sources identified the co-pilot to Reuters as Omani national Hamam Al-Hamami. Israeli officials have said the co-pilot was from Oman, but UAE authorities and FlyDubai have not publicly disclosed his identity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was "clearly suicidal," and ordered a review of "all security aspects" involving foreign civilian aviation to Israel.

Reuters contributed to this report.

The Department of War confirmed Sunday that U.S. Air Force bombers were pulled out of RAF Fairford in England as authorities continue to investigate a suspected terror plot targeting the base.

Six people were arrested in connection with the security incident near the base on Sept. 27, including a dual British-Iranian national suspected of preparing terrorist acts.

"U.S. Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements," a department official told Fox News Digital.

"While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all U.S. bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States," the official said.

"The Airmen that operate America's bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities — including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States — anywhere, anytime," the official added.

RAF Fairford, about 100 miles west of London, has been used by U.S. bombers during the current war with Iran and in previous Middle East conflicts.

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US pulls jets out

Good thing we have already won. The right thing to do for now. Iran goes to war with very different weapons than we do, and they can get results.

Iran goes to war with very different weapons than we do, and they can get results.

You don't think this hasn't happened before? The difference is that now the British government has shown itself to be incapable of securing RAF and NATO airbases, and that attempted terrorists were released without bail after being caught…and that they only caught 5 of the 10 people attempting at get onto the airbase.

I am saying Iran does not fight us with conventional forces. As far as we know, this event is looking bad for the Brits.

Your evidence for them being terrorists is…?

3 hours ago
Iranian drone threat prompted US to pull bombers from UK base — WSJ

The United States abruptly withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain Sunday over urgent concerns about a potentially complex drone attack ordered by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US and European officials.

The planned attack was part of a broader alleged Iranian plot to target the aircraft and kill personnel at the base, including American pilots, according to the Journal.

Vice President JD Vance said the bombers were moved "out of an abundance of caution trying to protect our guys," without commenting on details of the alleged plot.

The Journal reported that a branch of the IRGC had recruited British nationals for a multi-stage operation that included a diversion near the base. US military officials in Europe had also been briefed in late September about a possible vehicle-borne explosive device.

British authorities have said there are strong indications of an Iran link but have not provided evidence publicly. Five men arrested near RAF Fairford last week and a sixth dual British-Iranian national arrested later were released on bail and have not been charged.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that unspecified threats prompted the move. "There were some threats, and rather than tempting the enemy, we'll capture the enemy and beat the enemy. But why should we leave them there?" he told reporters.

Asked whether concerns that Iran had brought combat drones into Britain prompted the withdrawal, Trump said: "I can't tell you that. But if they did, they'll suffer greatly."

I am saying Iran does not fight us with conventional forces.

They never have -- it's been mostly terrorist and proxy attacks for almost 50 years