5 Arrested in RAF Fairford Plot Released on Bail

Five British nationals arrested Sunday on suspicion of plotting an attack on a military base have been released on bail, authorities confirmed Monday. The investigation into the alleged plot remains ongoing.

The five individuals, all in their early 20s and from London, were taken into custody on suspicion of terrorism. While they could have been held for up to 14 days, they have since been released on bail.

The alleged plot targeted RAF Fairford, a military air base in the Cotswolds. The incident began when a farmer reported seeing hooded and masked men near the base's tree line. Police responded within 10 minutes.

The British Army bomb squad used robots to search three vans believed to have been driven by the suspects. As a precaution, 85 nearby homes were evacuated. Residents had not returned to their homes as of Monday morning.

Laurence Taylor, head of U.K. counterterrorism police, stated that investigators are determining if the alleged plot was "actively committed by proxies or individuals." Officials are exploring possible links to Iran, Russia, or nonstate-backed militants. Iran has denied any involvement.

The identities of the five individuals have not been released.