An Iranian backed sleeper cell has allegedly claimed responsibility for the ambulance firebombing in Golders Green last night.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates to ‘Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right’, shared unverified footage of the ambulances burning with their logo pasted over it, hours after the fire.
The fire, which is widely being considered an anti-Semitic attack, took place outside a north London synagogue in the middle of the night.
CCTV footage shows three hooded suspects approaching a parked Hatzola with patrol cans before it ignites into flames.
They then flee the area as the four Jewish community ambulances were engulfed by fire, with several loud bangs heard as oxygen cannisters exploded, shattering nearby windows at 1.45am on Monday. There were no injuries.
The last post Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which can also be called Ashab al-Yamin, shared on Telegram before seemingly attacking the ambulances said: ‘In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
‘This is the Final Warning To all the peoples of the world, especially in the European Union.
‘Immediately distance yourselves from all American and Zionist interests, facilities, and what is affiliated with them.’
Three hooded suspects were seen approaching the Jewish emergency vehicles before they were set alight this morning outside a synagogue
They then flee the area as the four Jewish community ambulances were engulfed by fire
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates to ‘Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right’, have appeared to take responsibility for the attack
Israeli embassy sources told The Telegraph today that the attack has ‘all the hallmarks’ of an Iranian-backed attack.
The style of the attack appears to follow the same pattern as the terrorist linked group’s other alleged targetings: taking place in a Jewish community, property focused, overnight and then shared online with their insignia.
The Telegraph reported that the group also follows previous examples of Iranian backed terror groups, a technique implemented by Tehran to pursue overseas activities which does not imply direct affiliation with the regime.
Ashab al-Yamin’s insignia, bearing a raised arm with a rifle pointing right with a globe slightly faded in the background, is very similar to the IRGC’s, Lebanese Hezbollah and Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq.
The right hand is typically associated with divine favour, honour and righteousness in Islamic culture.
Featuring the right hand will lend the group’s imagery to a spiritual mission, rather than an ideological pursuit, according to experts.
Although the group have not established their own Telegram channel – which is usually to be expected when a new terror group has been announced – their posts are being widely shared by channels tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which is reported to have links to Iran’s network of proxies, has seemingly taken responsibility for other attacks in Europe over the past few weeks.
Three of the community ambulances were left in pieces and burned out after fires triggered explosions inside the vehicles
An explosion in Belgium at Synagogue of Liège is also linked to the group.
This is believed to be the start of the group’s campaign, taking place on March 9, which saw windows shattered across the street.
A second attack in Greece took place two days later at a Jewish site in Athens with footage seemingly showing two people fleeing the scene.
Hours later, a lengthy statement circulated on Telegram channels affiliated with Hezbollah which called on ‘the warriors of Islam, the knights of the shadows’.
The only Jewish school in the Netherlands was the next target, with the synagogue set on fire in Amsterdam on March 13 – four young men were arrested on suspected involvement.
UK authorities are yet to verify the claims by the group that they instigated the fire in London last night. The group is said not to have appeared in any databases three weeks ago, nor did it have a previous footprint online.
However, their Telegram post promised ‘targeting the most prominent Zionist centres in London’ – seemingly threatening more attacks.
Scotland Yard has said today they are hunting for three suspects and it is a ‘priority’ for them to verify if Ashab al-Yamin are involved, amid fears across Europe of Iranian sleeper cells awakened by America and Israel’s attacks on the country.
A police car parked outside a Jewish school in teh Netherlands following an explosion
The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right has claimed to have carried out the attack
The group posted a video online showing an individual igniting a fire before it explodes and driving away
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said, but the arson is not yet being treated as a terror attack.
He said: ‘We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage. CCTV footage appears to show three people in hoods pouring an accelerant on to the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing.
‘While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by counter terrorism policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open.
‘We are aware of an online claim from a group taking responsibility for this attack. Establishing the authenticity and accuracy of this claim will be a priority for the investigation team but it is not something we can confirm at this point.
‘There have been no arrests at this early stage, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting visited the scene on Monday and called it a ‘despicable act of evil’. He was briefly heckled with cries of ‘shame on Labour’ from the crowd.
He said: ‘The aim of these attackers is clear. They want Jewish people in this country to live smaller lives, to live less Jewish lives, to be less visible as Jewish people, to fear going about Jewish life.
Four vehicles will be in place ‘tomorrow morning at the latest’ to replace those that were destroyed, with work ongoing to get permanent replacements, the Health Secretary said.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said of the potential Iran links: ‘I’m sure the security services will be looking into that, and the Met will be investigating. I’m very reluctant to get ahead of what is still a live investigation’.
Forensic officers are carrying out searches on a residential street near to Highfield Road.
A police cordon preventing people from entering a section of Brookside Road has been put in place this afternoon.
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to Highfield Road, near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue in Golders Green, at around 1.45am to put out the flames. No one was injured.
The force of the blasts, believed to be gas canisters onboard the Hatzola ambulances, caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats.
The synagogue, which is one of the oldest in Europe, has its roof damaged and stained glass windows smashed in the fire.
Condemning the ‘deeply shocking’ attack, Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.
‘Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.’
Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken that this is how low Britain has sunk. This horrific act truly plumbs new depths.’
