A wave of protest swept outside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as demonstrators opposed the ongoing US bombing campaign targeting Iran. The RAF base has been actively used by American forces, with a US bomber capable of launching 24 cruise missiles landing on March 6, followed by three additional bombers earlier.
On March 7, approximately 60 peaceful protesters gathered armed with placards and flags to voice their dissent against the conflict and to send a clear message to the British government opposing further involvement.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has publicly condemned British military participation in the campaign, describing the US and Israeli-led attacks as illegal and unauthorized by Congress, the United Nations, or NATO. Nonetheless, UK bases, including RAF Fairford, have been allowed for defensive US actions targeting Iranian missile sites.
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Over a week has passed since the commencement of strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, which resulted in retaliatory attacks by Tehran, targeting countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and an RAF base in Cyprus.
Chris Cole, from Drone Wars UK, an anti-armed drone organization, was among the protesters. He emphasized the importance of public dissent, stating, “We’re here to voice the public’s disagreement with these actions.”
Gloucestershire Constabulary monitored the demonstration to ensure it remained peaceful. The police reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate lawful protests while balancing the rights of the public to go about their daily lives without significant disruption. They expressed readiness to respond dynamically should larger numbers of protesters arrive and to handle any incidents of disorder firmly.
The protest at RAF Fairford highlights a contentious moment in UK-US relations as citizens express growing unease about the nation’s indirect involvement in escalating Middle East tensions.