Two people were killed and three others seriously injured in a terror attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Wednesday, as the city reels from one of the deadliest assaults on its Jewish community in recent years.
The attack occurred during Yom Kippur, one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar, prompting heightened fears across the UK’s Jewish population.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the attacker, identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, drove a car into a crowd of worshippers before stabbing multiple bystanders.
Police shot Al-Shamie dead at the scene. Authorities said he was wearing a vest that appeared to be an explosive device, though subsequent inspections revealed no bomb. A bomb disposal team was deployed to ensure the area was safe.
Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, arrived in the UK as a child and became a naturalised citizen in 2006. Preliminary investigations indicate that he was not part of the UK’s counter-radicalisation programs. Officials are examining his background to determine any connections to extremist networks, but sources told the Associated Press that there is currently no evidence he acted on behalf of an organised group. The attack, however, is being treated as terrorism, with police considering an Islamist motive.
In the immediate aftermath, GMP declared “Plato” – the codeword for a marauding terror attack – at 9:37 am. Three suspects, including a woman in her 60s, were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offences, with further arrests ongoing as police continue their investigation.
Authorities have appealed to the public for any information or footage that could assist in piecing together the events leading up to the attack.
UK leaders swiftly condemned the violence. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the assault “a barbaric act targeting innocent civilians at their place of worship,” and pledged that law enforcement would do everything necessary to ensure the safety of Jewish communities nationwide. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer announced that additional police patrols would be deployed at synagogues and Jewish institutions across the country, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed stepped-up security in the capital.
International reactions also underscored the gravity of the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as “barbaric” and said Israel mourns with the Jewish community in the UK. Prominent Jewish leaders in Britain, including Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, called the attack the “tragic result of an unrelenting wave of antisemitism in the UK,” highlighting the broader societal concerns about the rise of extremist violence.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to treat the injured, who were transported to nearby hospitals. Medical teams reported that three individuals sustained serious injuries, while several others suffered minor wounds. GMP and forensic teams cordoned off the area to conduct investigations, including analyzing CCTV footage, vehicle data, and potential evidence left by the attacker.
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation across communities in Manchester and beyond. Leaders from interfaith organisations emphasised solidarity with the Jewish population and called for vigilance against hate-driven violence. Synagogues nationwide have heightened security, with many placing temporary restrictions on gatherings and ensuring a visible police presence during religious services.
As the investigation continues, authorities are examining the attacker’s possible links to extremist content online and any preparatory actions that could have indicated premeditation. Analysts suggest that while Al-Shamie may have acted alone, his actions reflect the ongoing threat posed by radicalised individuals within the UK.
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