Iranian-Backed Sleeper Cell Allegedly Claims Responsibility for Ambulance Firebombing in Golders Green
An Iranian-backed sleeper cell has allegedly claimed responsibility for a firebombing attack on Jewish community ambulances outside a synagogue in Golders Green, north London, in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident, widely considered an antisemitic attack, saw four Hatzola ambulances engulfed in flames after three hooded suspects approached the vehicles with petrol cans.
Details of the Attack and Online Claims
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates to 'Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right', shared unverified footage of the burning ambulances with their logo superimposed hours after the fire. The group, also known as Ashab al-Yamin, posted on Telegram channels affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah, claiming this was part of a "final warning" to distance from American and Zionist interests.
CCTV footage shows three hooded individuals approaching the parked ambulances at approximately 1:45 am, pouring accelerant before igniting the vehicles and fleeing. The fire triggered explosions as oxygen canisters onboard detonated, shattering nearby windows at the Mchzike Hadath synagogue—one of the oldest in Europe—causing roof damage and breaking stained glass. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Links to Iranian Proxy Networks and European Campaign
Israeli embassy sources told The Telegraph that the attack bears "all the hallmarks" of an Iranian-backed operation, following patterns seen in other alleged targetings: focusing on Jewish communities, property damage overnight, and online dissemination with group insignia. The group's insignia, featuring a raised arm with a rifle pointing right against a faded globe, resembles imagery used by IRGC, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq.
Experts note that the right hand in Islamic culture symbolizes divine favour and righteousness, lending a spiritual mission to the group's imagery. Although Ashab al-Yamin lacks its own Telegram channel—unusual for a newly announced terror group—its posts are widely shared by IRGC and Hezbollah-linked channels, suggesting ties to Iran's proxy network.
The group has seemingly claimed responsibility for other recent attacks in Europe, including an explosion at the Synagogue of Liège in Belgium on March 9, an incident at a Jewish site in Athens two days later, and a fire at the only Jewish school in the Netherlands on March 13, where four young men were arrested.
Police Investigation and Political Response
Scotland Yard is hunting for three suspects, with counter-terrorism police leading the investigation, though it is not yet classified as a terror attack. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stated that verifying the group's claim is a "priority," amid fears of Iranian sleeper cells activated by tensions between America, Israel, and Iran.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting visited the scene, condemning it as a "despicable act of evil" aimed at making Jewish people "live smaller lives." He announced that replacement vehicles would be in place by Tuesday morning. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook urged caution, noting security services are investigating potential Iran links.
Sir Keir Starmer called the attack "deeply shocking," emphasizing that antisemitism has no place in society. Gideon Falter of Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed heartbreak, stating the act "plumbs new depths" for Britain.
Ongoing Threats and Security Concerns
The group, which reportedly had no online footprint three weeks ago, promised in Telegram posts to target "the most prominent Zionist centres in London," threatening further attacks. UK authorities have not verified their involvement, but the style aligns with Iranian-backed terror techniques that avoid direct regime affiliation.
Forensic officers are searching a residential street near Highfield Road, with a police cordon in place on Brookside Road. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters responded to the blaze, highlighting the severity of the incident. As investigations continue, concerns grow over the awakening of sleeper cells across Europe, with this attack marking a potential escalation in coordinated antisemitic violence.
