Terror Attack at a Manchester Synagogue
A violent incident unfolded at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur when a 35‐year‐old man with extremist views launched an attack against worshippers. The assailant, who had a history of radical ideas and was under bail for separate allegations, targeted the gathering by driving his car into people outside the place of worship and then stabbing several individuals as he attempted to breach the synagogue.
Details of the Incident
During the attack, the perpetrator made a chilling call to emergency services, declaring that he had “killed two Jews in the name of the Islamic State.” Witnesses reported that he also shouted, “This is what you’re going to get for killing our children,” an apparent reference to tensions stemming from regional conflicts. In the chaos, law enforcement intervened, and the attacker was fatally shot before he could cause further harm.
The Suspect’s Background
The attacker, a Syrian-born man who had acquired British citizenship in 2006, reportedly grew more radical over time. Neighbors observed changes in his behavior during the Covid era, noting that he began wearing traditional robes and using religious texts to influence local children. At the time of the attack, he was known to have a complicated personal life: he was the father of three young children from a previous marriage and was also involved in a polygamous relationship with a second wife, a British healthcare worker who had converted to Islam several years earlier.
Victims and Response
Tragically, two worshippers lost their lives during the course of the attack. One individual was fatally stabbed by the assailant, while another—a security guard—was accidentally shot by police as they intervened to stop him. A third person, who was injured by the same bullet that killed the security guard, is receiving treatment in hospital for serious injuries.
Aftermath and Investigation
British counter-terrorism officials have treated the incident as a terrorist attack. Although investigators have not established direct ties between the attacker and established terror organizations, evidence suggests that he acted alone under the influence of extremist ideology, inspired by the wider conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, authorities detained several individuals linked to the suspect to determine whether they had any involvement in or foreknowledge of his plans, although some have since been released without charge.
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