A GROUP claiming links with Iran has said it is behind three recent arson attacks in London currently being investigated by terrorist police.
This comes after a synagogue in Finchley was targeted in a suspected firebomb attack yesterday night.
The same group – Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya meaning The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand – have also claimed responsibility for an arson attack on volunteer-led Jewish community ambulances and a Persian Language media organisation.
The group made these unsubstantiated claims by posting videos on social media.
The Met have urged anyone to not be “persuaded or paid” to act on behalf of foreign organisations as terror cops probe the attacks.
At around midnight on April 15, two balaclava-clad people allegedly threw two bottles and a brick at Finchley Reform Synagogue.
Thankfully, the bottles, which were filled with petrol, failed to ignite.
Police have since arrested a 47-year-old woman at an address in Watford and a 46-year-old man in the same area under suspicion of arson endangering life.
Footage also emerged of an arsonist dressed in a tracksuit hurling a petrol bomb at the London headquarters of Volant – the owner of Iran International.
The broadcaster has been targeted on numerous occasions for criticising the Iranian government’s regime.
The attack took place at 8.30 last night, but thankfully, as the lit object was thrown towards the building, the fire went out almost immediately.
There have been no reports of any damages or injuries.
Three men – aged 16, 19 and 21 – were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life after urgent enquiries were carried out when it was established the suspects left the area in a black SUV.
Earlier this month, two men and a teenage boy were charged following an investigation into an arson attack on volunteer-led ambulances run by the Jewish community.
None of the incidents have currently been declared as terrorist attacks – but The Met’s counter-terrorism team are leading the investigations.
Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said: “These incidents have happened against an operational backdrop of global instability and sustained and increasingly aggressive hostile activity on UK soil.
“Whilst these investigations are ongoing and we’re progressing multiple lines of enquiry, I understand why our communities here in the UK will be concerned to learn of these arson attacks.
“We are now dealing with an unprecedented level of national security investigations with suspected links to foreign states, many of those with dangerous and often reckless intentions.
“I want to reassure our communities that Counter Terrorism Policing will be relentless in tracing those responsible for these acts of violence on our streets.
“If you are part of this activity, then know that you will be caught, and you will face justice.
“Anyone with information about any of the incidents this week, please speak to the police.”
Who are Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia?
HARAKAT Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia is an extremist group that has recently burst onto the scene in Europe.
The name translates as “The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right” – and it only emerged publicly this month, raising the alarm among security services.
Experts believe the group could be linked to Iranian-backed terror networks, although that has not been officially confirmed.
The group has already claimed responsibility for a string of explosions and arson attacks targeting Jewish sites across Europe, including in Belgium and the Netherlands.
In recent days, the outfit has claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks across Europe designed to spread fear.
These include explosions and arson strikes on Jewish buildings in Belgium and the Netherlands between March 9 and March 14.
A synagogue in Liège was rocked by a blast described as an “extremely violent act of antisemitism”, while in Amsterdam an explosion damaged the country’s only Orthodox Jewish school.
Another blast outside a synagogue in Rotterdam sparked a fire and caused damage to the building, with several suspects arrested by police.
Its online messages show it is openly hostile towards Jewish communities and supportive of attacks on targets linked to Israel.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia spreads its propaganda through encrypted apps such as Telegram, where it posts claims and threats in multiple languages.
