A previously unknown terrorist group calling itself Ashab Al Yamim—Arabic for “Companions of the Right” or “People of Justice”—has claimed responsibility for two attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe within a single week, sparking alarm among security agencies and raising questions about possible links to Iran-aligned networks.
Back-to-Back Attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands
The first attack occurred on Monday, March 9, 2026, when an explosive device detonated at a synagogue in Liège, Belgium. Just days later, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, an arson attack targeted a synagogue in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. These were the group’s first known operations—and its emergence was as sudden as it was alarming.
Notably, Ashab Al Yamim had no known online presence prior to the attacks. It operates no official Telegram channels or social media accounts—a stark contrast to most contemporary militant groups, which typically establish digital platforms immediately upon formation.
Signals of Iranian Axis Ties
Although the group lacks its own public channels, footage from both attacks circulated rapidly across Telegram networks linked to the so-called “Shiite axis”—including channels affiliated with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This pattern has strengthened suspicions that Ashab Al Yamim may be operating under the guidance—or at least with the logistical support—of Tehran-backed actors.
Symbolism and Significance
The group’s logo features a raised hand holding a Dragunov sniper rifle pointed rightward, set against a globe. The imagery strongly echoes emblems used by pro-Iranian armed groups—including Hezbollah, Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, and the IRGC—all of which commonly incorporate weapons and raised fists over world maps.
Yet there is a telling distinction: while most “Axis of Resistance” groups use stylized AK-47s in their iconography, Ashab Al Yamim prominently displays the Soviet-made Dragunov—a precision rifle favored by certain Middle Eastern militias but rarely seen in European extremist branding. Its inclusion suggests either specialized training, external supply chains, or deliberate signaling to regional allies.
Following the Liège bombing, the group released a statement quoting Quranic verses and issuing a call to jihad—further reinforcing its ideological framing as a religiously motivated actor aligned with broader anti-Israel and anti-Western narratives.