British police arrested two men on Wednesday in connection with an arson attack on four volunteer ambulances run by the Jewish organization Hatzola in north London. The ambulances were set on fire early Monday while parked next to a synagogue in an area with a large Jewish population. This incident affects the Jewish community and Hatzola volunteers who provide free emergency medical services, and it matters now as part of attacks claimed by an Islamist group with possible Iranian links, prompting counter-terrorism action by the Metropolitan Police.
The attack happened early Monday. Fire destroyed four ambulances parked outside a synagogue. This area of north London has many Jewish residents.
Police made arrests on Wednesday. Counter-terrorism detectives took two men into custody. One is 47 years old, the other 45. They face suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Officers acted at addresses in central and northwestern London. They also carried out searches at those locations. The Metropolitan Police released these details in official statements.
Hatzola runs the ambulances as a volunteer group. They offer free medical transport and emergency help to people in north London.
An online claim came soon after the fire. The group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, or HAYI, posted on Telegram. They said they did the attack.
HAYI means The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand. The group also claimed fires in Belgium and the Netherlands. In Antwerp’s Jewish quarter, a car burned on Tuesday. Belgian police arrested two minors that day on suspicion of terrorist links.
The SITE monitoring service links HAYI to Iran. London police chief Mark Rowley noted this. He said forces are checking the claim and possible Iranian state ties.
This raises safety worries for the Jewish community. Attacks target their spaces and services.
Counter-terrorism efforts now span Europe. Police connect this to other fires claimed by HAYI.
Head of counter-terrorism policing Helen Flanagan called the arrests an important breakthrough. But CCTV shows at least three people at the scene. The Metropolitan Police say the probe stays active.
Police worry about wider threats from such groups.
Officers plan to arrest all involved. Flanagan said the investigation remains open.
In Belgium, arrests tie to the same group claims. This shows quick action across borders. The Metropolitan Police attribute these steps to their statements.
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