A protest has taken place outside RAF Fairford, calling on the UK government to end the US' use of British bases in their war against Iran.
On Saturday, August 15, at 1pm, protestors gathered outside the base to oppose what they term the "illegal attacks" on Iran.
This comes following former Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to allow the US to use RAF Fairford defensively by the US in its war against Iran.
In a press release sent out prior to the protest, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said: "With thousands now killed in the US/Israeli illegal war on Iran, and serious risks of the war widening, the British government’s decision to allow the use of Fairford, has dragged the country even further into this devastating war.
"In late July, a US B-1 bomber from RAF Fairford was reported to have attacked Iran, in further breach of the ceasefire.
"In response, Iran’s foreign ministry stated that Britain is an ‘accomplice’ to the US’s illegal war and that British bases like RAF Fairford are now legitimate targets.
"(New PM Andy) Burnham’s government further escalated the situation by releasing a statement saying, “The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself… This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our Nato allies.”
Before the event, Cllr Helen Fenton, Stroud District Council, said: “I'm supporting the Fairford Action demonstration on 15 August, because Fairford US air base is being used to commit crimes against international law, and atrocities against civilians.
“US and Israeli warplanes are dropping bombs on innocent civilians in Iran, without any mandate from the United Nations.
"This is a bullying tactic, and we must stand up to bullying. Please join us.”
Also issuing a statement prior to the protest, Stop the War Coalition Vice-Chair Chris Nineham said: “It is most obviously through allowing the US’s biggest bombers to launch from Fairford that Britain is participating in Trump’s brutal, illegal war of choice on Iran.
"We will be there in numbers on Saturday to tell the new Prime Minister that this collusion has to stop.
"It is deeply dangerous and has next to no support in the country.”
Gloucestershire Police had said that a number of road closures would be in place in the Fairford area on the day.
This is not the first protest of this kind to take place at RAF Fairford.
In April, hundreds of people took part in a similar protest against the war at the air base.
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