Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, drove his car into pedestrians outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday, at about at 09:31 a.m. local time, during Yom Kippur services, before stabbing bystanders. He was shot dead by police at the scene after a seven-minute response time, with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirming the incident was a terrorist attack.

Two people, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed, and three others sustained serious injuries, including one who was stabbed and another struck by the vehicle. One of the deceased could have been accidentally shot by police, according to a Chief Constable.

GMP confirmed the attack was a terrorist incident, with al-Shamie being the sole attacker. He was shot dead after attempting to enter the synagogue, but was prevented from gaining access by security staff and worshippers, including Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was commended for his actions. A suspicious device he was wearing was assessed and found not to be viable.

Al-Shamie, who entered the UK as a child and was granted British citizenship in 2006, was identified through a photo verified by the BBC and video footage from the scene. He was wearing a vest that appeared to be an explosive device, which was later confirmed to be non-viable. Three suspects—two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s—were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses.

Al-Shamie was on bail following an arrest on suspicion of rape, a fact confirmed by multiple police sources and media outlets. No previous referrals to the Prevent counterterrorism program were made for the attacker.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, stating the suspect "attacked Jews because they are Jews" and vowed to increase police presence at synagogues across the UK to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. He returned early from a summit in Denmark to address the situation and visited an unnamed synagogue.

The U.S. Air Force has reactivated the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, marking the first permanent deployment of MQ-9A Reaper drones on the Korean Peninsula.

The MQ-9 Reaper, a turboprop-powered unmanned aerial vehicle, has a range exceeding 2,575 kilometers(km) and can remain airborne for over 24 hours, enabling extended ISR missions. It is capable of carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-54 laser-guided bombs for combat roles.

The unit, which was originally formed in 1943 as the 431st Fighter Squadron during World War II, was reactivated on Sept. 28,, to serve as a tenant unit under the 8th Fighter Wing, known as “the Wolf Pack.” Commanded by Lt. Col. Douglas J. Slater, the squadron is tasked with enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the Indo-Pacific theater, supporting U.S.-South Korea alliance priorities.

The 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is the first permanent MQ-9 Reaper unit stationed in South Korea, replacing previous rotational deployments of the drone. The activation signifies a strategic shift to maintain a persistent aerial surveillance presence in the region.

The squadron’s location at Kunsan Air Base allows it to monitor North Korea, the Yellow Sea, and areas extending into eastern China, including major cities like Beijing and Shanghai Its reach also covers the East China Sea and Taiwan, approximately 1,287 km away.

The 431st was first activated in 1943 in Australia, flying P-38 Lightning fighters as bomber escorts in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It later relocated to Seoul in 1945 before being deactivated in 1949. It was reactivated in 1952 as an air defense squadron and later served as a test and evaluation unit for the F-111 Aardvark until its inactivation in 1992.

The reactivation comes alongside other strategic moves, including the relocation of 31 F-16 fighter jets from Kunsan to Osan Air Base, closer to the Demilitarized Zone, to form a “super squadron” and increase combat readiness.

The U.S. military has not disclosed the number of Reapers or personnel assigned to the squadron, citing security concerns. The unit’s activation underscores the U.S. commitment to regional security amid rising tensions and North Korea’s continued missile testing.