A group that claimed responsibility for a series of arson attacks in London and across Europe has been identified as an Iranian proxy by the US Department of Justice.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) claimed nearly 20 attacks targeting Jewish people and businesses, including a stabbing in Golders Green, London, last month. The group emerged on Telegram channels linked to Iran-backed militant groups in early March.
According to a US federal complaint, HAYI is a front for Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia paramilitary group that acts as a proxy for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The complaint was filed against Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an alleged commander of the militia, who is accused of planning at least 20 attacks against US and Israeli interests in Europe and Canada since late February.
The complaint states that HAYI was created almost immediately after the Iranian military conflict began and attempted to portray itself as independent from the IRGC or Hezbollah. However, its logo and founding statement underscore that it is merely a component of Kata'ib Hezbollah.
Al-Saadi, who has close ties to the IRGC and Hezbollah, allegedly worked with Qasem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful military commander assassinated in 2020. He was involved in planning and promoting attacks across Europe, including arson attacks on synagogues in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The filings list arson attacks on four Hatzalah ambulances, a synagogue, and a media organisation in London as claimed by HAYI. Al-Saadi was heard on a telephone call saying he was 'running multiple teams', which the DoJ said could refer to the European attacks.
