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Manchester attack: Police make 12th and 13th arrests in bombing investigation – live Manchester attack: evacuation under way in Moss Side as bomb disposal experts arrive – live
(35 minutes later)
11.40am BST
11:40
Tweeted pictures from the queues to the buses taking partygoers to Radio 1’s Big Weekend show the enhanced police presence.
Humberside police said on Tuesday that people preparing to attend the event in Hull should expect stringent security checks. However, if the latter of these tweets is to be believed, some people are facing more intense scrutiny than others.
Waiting for the shuttle bus is loooooong #bigweekend im sad i may miss @TheAmazons 😳😩 pic.twitter.com/CJ43Z2kBdU
We're ready for #bigweekend feeling a bit sorry for the brown person being stalked by the armed police
11.13am BST
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Details emerge of suspects in Cheetham Hill
Josh Halliday
It is believed the two men who were taken away by police in the latest raids were brothers in the same friendship group as the Manchester bomber.
Neighbours identified Yahya and Mohamed Werfalli, aged 20 and 22, as two of the occupants of the house raided by armed police on Saturday morning.
Officers used a controlled explosion to blow open the front door to the family home on a quiet street in Cheetham Hill at around 2am. Neighbours described how their houses shook as about 30 police officers, many armed, stormed the building.
Separate raids also took place in Moss Side, where police are now evacuating residents.
Three neighbours independently identified the Werfalli brothers from pictures. One close neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she saw the brothers being led away by police following the explosion.
“I just heard the bang and I was so scared. I woke about 2 and the bang was about 3. I thought it was another bomb,” she said. “I’ve never been to their house. I’ve been here 13 years and they were here before me. The dad isn’t here, he lives somewhere else. They’re Libyan.”
GMP said on Saturday morning that two men, aged 20 and 22, had been arrested in connection with the search.
Yayha Werfalli, the older brother, is understood to have had a connection on social media with Abedi’s younger brother, Hashim.
Others neighbours said the Werfalli family are Libyan and have lived in the three-floor property for six or seven years.
Majid Khan, 43, who lives opposite the raided property, said the brothers wore traditional Islamic clothing and that their father worked as an engineer in Sharjah, a city on the Persian gulf. He added: “They were very nice people. I’m surprised. I’ve known them about seven or eight years. They were friendly.”
Another neighbour, Aftab Aslam, 30, said he heard one of the arrested men “screaming and and loudly crying” as he was led away by police.“I was up at 2 and just heard a big band. Very loud. Everybody came out on the street and police started shouting: ‘Go inside, go inside!’,” he said. “There were 12-15 police cars, maybe more including undercover. I thought it was something like a car explosion then I came out and cops were everywhere.”
Here is a picture of the leaflet being handed to residents in Cheetham Hill following last nights arrests pic.twitter.com/NEnNGrLeRE
Updated
at 11.20am BST
11.02am BST11.02am BST
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Evacuation under way in Moss SideEvacuation under way in Moss Side
An evacuation in Moss Side is under way as part of an ongoing search linked to the Manchester bombing, Greater Manchester Police said. Helen Pidd
An evacuation in Moss Side is under way as part of an ongoing search linked to the Manchester bombing, Greater Manchester police said.
Bomb disposal van arrived at Boscombe Street in Moss Side. Surrounding streets closed. Neighbour saw man taken away. pic.twitter.com/3hrgubOpa5Bomb disposal van arrived at Boscombe Street in Moss Side. Surrounding streets closed. Neighbour saw man taken away. pic.twitter.com/3hrgubOpa5
Our reporter Helen Pidd is on the scene:
A number of streets in Moss Side have been cordoned off after bomb disposal experts arrived in a big van from the Royal Logistics Corps.
The activity seems to be on Boscombe Street, where a neighbour says they saw at least one person being taken away in the last hour.
The cordon is being widened minute by minute with bit of Yew Tree Road, Thornton Road and Horton Road closed off, plus Boscombe Street.
A police helicopter is circulating overhead.
Van from Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal unit stationed at end of Boscombe St in Rusholme/Moss Side. Residents evacuated. pic.twitter.com/ChbMUnJ7IH
Greater Manchester police has tweeted this update on developments in Moss Side:
Latest update pic.twitter.com/3QXPonaGqM
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.03am BST at 11.24am BST
10.55am BST10.55am BST
10:5510:55
Shortly before leaving the scene of the Moss Side raid, Helen Pidd noticed two more police vans turn up. She has sent this tweet:Shortly before leaving the scene of the Moss Side raid, Helen Pidd noticed two more police vans turn up. She has sent this tweet:
Another police van has turned up in the Moss Side cul-de-sac being searched by police. Officers wearing navy jumpsuits have got out of van pic.twitter.com/qnrhwI00lMAnother police van has turned up in the Moss Side cul-de-sac being searched by police. Officers wearing navy jumpsuits have got out of van pic.twitter.com/qnrhwI00lM
10.53am BST10.53am BST
10:5310:53
Jason Burke, the Guardian’s African correspondent, has addressed claims that Libya - the home country of Salman Abedi’s parents - has become a “hotbed” for Islamic extremism. Experts, he writes, say that the situation is far more complicated and warned against exaggerating the strength of jihadi groups in the country. Jason Burke, the Guardian’s African correspondent, has assessed claims that Libya – the home country of Salman Abedi’s parents – has become a “hotbed” for Islamic extremism. Experts, he writes, say that the situation is far more complicated and warned against exaggerating the strength of jihadi groups in the country.
Isis has been forced out of the two cities on the Mediterranean coast it once controlled and, though it still has a presence in Tripoli and elsewhere, has scattered into shifting desert camps. Its propaganda now rarely mentions Libya, which United Nations experts once mooted as a possible alternative base for the group if it was expelled from its strongholds in Syria and Iraq.Isis has been forced out of the two cities on the Mediterranean coast it once controlled and, though it still has a presence in Tripoli and elsewhere, has scattered into shifting desert camps. Its propaganda now rarely mentions Libya, which United Nations experts once mooted as a possible alternative base for the group if it was expelled from its strongholds in Syria and Iraq.
Al-Qaida uses the remote south of Libya as a rear base for planning and logistics but has no territorial control and does not seem to be seeking to expand. Local groups, such as Ansar al-Sharia, are fragmented and weak.Al-Qaida uses the remote south of Libya as a rear base for planning and logistics but has no territorial control and does not seem to be seeking to expand. Local groups, such as Ansar al-Sharia, are fragmented and weak.
Aaron Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said “Libya is relevant but not at the forefront” of Islamic extremist activity across the region. Aaron Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said: “Libya is relevant but not at the forefront” of Islamic extremist activity across the region.
Updated
at 11.09am BST
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Those off to see the Courteeners at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium have been asked not to bring large bags or rucksacks, or indeed “flares, smoke bombs or any kind or pyro”.Those off to see the Courteeners at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium have been asked not to bring large bags or rucksacks, or indeed “flares, smoke bombs or any kind or pyro”.
Important information ahead of @thecourteeners concert this evening. Pls also check the website for further updates https://t.co/G3xtA43Zhb pic.twitter.com/S104CK6QAPImportant information ahead of @thecourteeners concert this evening. Pls also check the website for further updates https://t.co/G3xtA43Zhb pic.twitter.com/S104CK6QAP
10.36am BST10.36am BST
10:3610:36
Helen PiddHelen Pidd
Helen Pidd, our north of England editor, has tracked down the house in Moss Side were arrests were made yesterday. She writes:Helen Pidd, our north of England editor, has tracked down the house in Moss Side were arrests were made yesterday. She writes:
Five police officers are guarding a terraced house in Dorset Avenue, the cul-de-sac in Moss Side where arrests were made on Friday. Several plain-clothed officers wearing blue plastic gloves have come out of the property in the last few minutes.Five police officers are guarding a terraced house in Dorset Avenue, the cul-de-sac in Moss Side where arrests were made on Friday. Several plain-clothed officers wearing blue plastic gloves have come out of the property in the last few minutes.
Greater Manchester police would not confirm whether this was the property where searches are under way on Saturday, but it looks like it.Greater Manchester police would not confirm whether this was the property where searches are under way on Saturday, but it looks like it.
Neighbours said there had been officers stationed outside the property for 24 hours but that they didn’t know who lived there.Neighbours said there had been officers stationed outside the property for 24 hours but that they didn’t know who lived there.
Searches continue at a terraced house in Moss Side, which was raided yesterday. #ManchesterBombing pic.twitter.com/GGP3T3j9RvSearches continue at a terraced house in Moss Side, which was raided yesterday. #ManchesterBombing pic.twitter.com/GGP3T3j9Rv
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.42am BSTat 10.42am BST
10.32am BST10.32am BST
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NYT editor: "No regrets" about publishing bomb scene picturesNYT editor: "No regrets" about publishing bomb scene pictures
The editor-in-chief of the New York Times has said he has “no regrets” about publishing pictures from the scene of the Manchester bombing, after they were leaked to the paper by sources in US intelligence.The editor-in-chief of the New York Times has said he has “no regrets” about publishing pictures from the scene of the Manchester bombing, after they were leaked to the paper by sources in US intelligence.
Questioned about the disclosures on on the BBC’s HardTalk programme, Dean Baquet brushed aside criticism from the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council, which said they undermined the investigation into the attack. “We live in different press worlds,” he said.Questioned about the disclosures on on the BBC’s HardTalk programme, Dean Baquet brushed aside criticism from the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council, which said they undermined the investigation into the attack. “We live in different press worlds,” he said.
When our police say that, we say: prove it. They didn’t prove it: I don’t buy it. I don’t buy that this hurt their investigation. We have thoughtfully, carefully published information that we publish after every terror in the world - and we should.When our police say that, we say: prove it. They didn’t prove it: I don’t buy it. I don’t buy that this hurt their investigation. We have thoughtfully, carefully published information that we publish after every terror in the world - and we should.
Baquet pointed out that his paper published similar pictures after terror attacks in the US, including the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Boston marathon bombing on 15 April 2013. He also said that the distribution of the Manchester pictures among US agencies was not restricted to the most secret level.Baquet pointed out that his paper published similar pictures after terror attacks in the US, including the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Boston marathon bombing on 15 April 2013. He also said that the distribution of the Manchester pictures among US agencies was not restricted to the most secret level.
“It was at the level of secrecy that made it much more widely dispersed than people are acknowledging,” he said.“It was at the level of secrecy that made it much more widely dispersed than people are acknowledging,” he said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.41am BSTat 10.41am BST
9.40am BST9.40am BST
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Josh HallidayJosh Halliday
Our reporter Josh Halliday has captured this video of an interview with a neighbour of the house in Cheetham Hill that was raided last night.Our reporter Josh Halliday has captured this video of an interview with a neighbour of the house in Cheetham Hill that was raided last night.
Aftab Aslam, 30, describes moment police blew open a neighbour's door in counter-terrorism dawn raid in Cheetham Hill pic.twitter.com/LLutAEE0zAAftab Aslam, 30, describes moment police blew open a neighbour's door in counter-terrorism dawn raid in Cheetham Hill pic.twitter.com/LLutAEE0zA
Describing the scenes, Aftab Aslam said:Describing the scenes, Aftab Aslam said:
Police were just screaming, shouting at everyone: ‘Go inside, go inside; nobody [is] allowed to come out and nobody [is] allowed to be filming.’ So everybody was just watching from the windows.Police were just screaming, shouting at everyone: ‘Go inside, go inside; nobody [is] allowed to come out and nobody [is] allowed to be filming.’ So everybody was just watching from the windows.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.43am BSTat 9.43am BST
9.31am BST9.31am BST
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Here’s some more news on the events that are – and are not – going on this weekend, thanks to PA.Here’s some more news on the events that are – and are not – going on this weekend, thanks to PA.
Going ahead on Sunday:Going ahead on Sunday:
Great Manchester Run. Thousands of defiant runners and spectators are expected to turn out for the 10k race. Participants should have received direct instructions from organisers by email.Great Manchester Run. Thousands of defiant runners and spectators are expected to turn out for the 10k race. Participants should have received direct instructions from organisers by email.
Vitality Westminster Mile, London. Organisers said they are working closely with the Metropolitan police, the mayor’s office and other authorities on additional security measures for runners and spectators on the Mall.Vitality Westminster Mile, London. Organisers said they are working closely with the Metropolitan police, the mayor’s office and other authorities on additional security measures for runners and spectators on the Mall.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend day two, Hull. Concert-goers should expect the same security measures as were in place on Saturday.Radio 1’s Big Weekend day two, Hull. Concert-goers should expect the same security measures as were in place on Saturday.
Not going ahead on Sunday:Not going ahead on Sunday:
FA Cup victory parades: Both Arsenal and Chelsea have said the victors will not stage street parades on Sunday to avoid placing additional pressure on the police.FA Cup victory parades: Both Arsenal and Chelsea have said the victors will not stage street parades on Sunday to avoid placing additional pressure on the police.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.33am BSTat 9.33am BST
9.18am BST9.18am BST
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One of Barack Obama’s top aides has said that the former US president expected more investment from David Cameron and other European leaders to rebuild Libya after the US and allies helped to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi.One of Barack Obama’s top aides has said that the former US president expected more investment from David Cameron and other European leaders to rebuild Libya after the US and allies helped to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi.
Ben Rhodes, a former foreign policy adviser at the White House, said that Obama’s expectation was that “there would have been a greater investment in the security force building from Europe”.Ben Rhodes, a former foreign policy adviser at the White House, said that Obama’s expectation was that “there would have been a greater investment in the security force building from Europe”.
Salman Abedi, the suicide bomber who killed 22 concertgoers in Manchester on Monday, was the son of Libyan emigres who had left the country because of their opposition to Gaddafi’s government. Arrests since then by police trying to capture the suspected terror network that supported him have largely focused on Manchester’s Libyan community.Salman Abedi, the suicide bomber who killed 22 concertgoers in Manchester on Monday, was the son of Libyan emigres who had left the country because of their opposition to Gaddafi’s government. Arrests since then by police trying to capture the suspected terror network that supported him have largely focused on Manchester’s Libyan community.
Rhodes told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday morning:Rhodes told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday morning:
I think we’re sympathetic to the challenges of doing that in a country that is not hospitable to foreigners coming in and providing that type of capacity building.I think we’re sympathetic to the challenges of doing that in a country that is not hospitable to foreigners coming in and providing that type of capacity building.
I think, looking back, the window closed faster than people thought.I think, looking back, the window closed faster than people thought.
I think people thought there was going to be a longer timeline to build up institutions in Libya, and, frankly, within about a year following when Cameron and (then French president Nicolas) Sarkozy travelled to Libya, within a year essentially it was going to be impossible to put things back together.I think people thought there was going to be a longer timeline to build up institutions in Libya, and, frankly, within about a year following when Cameron and (then French president Nicolas) Sarkozy travelled to Libya, within a year essentially it was going to be impossible to put things back together.
Rhodes also said the transitional Libyan government “lost control of violence in the country”. He saidRhodes also said the transitional Libyan government “lost control of violence in the country”. He said
When I look back on that I think we all believe we should have done better. What began as a humanitarian intervention led to the removal of Gaddafi, and then there was just an enormous vacuum and nothing filled that vacuum except for the militias on the ground.When I look back on that I think we all believe we should have done better. What began as a humanitarian intervention led to the removal of Gaddafi, and then there was just an enormous vacuum and nothing filled that vacuum except for the militias on the ground.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.20am BSTat 9.20am BST
8.46am BST
08:46
Plans for major bank holiday events in the the UK
Police have stepped up security at a number of events this weekend, PA reports. Most are expected to go ahead as planned, albeit with more police officers around. Plans to bolster security at events, including Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Hull, were first announced on Tuesday.
Going ahead:
Premiership Rugby final, Twickenham. Exeter Chiefs battle Wasps in south-west London, with kick-off scheduled for 2.30pm after a minute’s silence for the victims of Monday’s attack. England Rugby advised fans to allow extra time to access the stadium and avoid bringing bags where possible.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Hull. Music fans heading to see Katy Perry, Little Mix, Biffy Clyro and others should allow extra time to undergo two rounds of security procedures. Police will be on hand at checks at transport hubs and a second check will be carried out at the site entrances. Asst Ch Con Andy McDyer said on Tuesday: “Be prepared to be searched.”
Birmingham Pride. The parade begins at midday with a large number of police officers, specials and police staff on hand to keep the public safe, West Midlands police said. Anyone who sees something suspicious is urged to tell a police officer or member of security staff. Supt Phil Dolby said: “I appreciate that people planning to attend may feel a sense of nervousness following events earlier this week in Manchester, but I would like to offer some reassurance that a full policing operation is in place and is subject to ongoing reviews.”
Chelsea Flower Show, London. Visitors on the last day of the show are urged to “remain extra vigilant” and report any concerns to staff or security immediately. Organisers say they are continuing to work closely with the Metropolitan police in light of recent events.
FA Cup final, Wembley. The Duke of Cambridge and the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, are expected to join tens of thousands of Arsenal and Chelsea fans at the north-west London stadium. The Football Association said enhanced security measures would be in place and fans are urged to arrive at least an hour before the 5.30pm kick-off.
Cancelled:
Screening of the FA Cup final at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal said they reluctantly made the decision following the raising of the threat level.
Updated
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8.37am BST
08:37
Our reporter Josh Halliday is at the scene in Cheetham Hill where police blew off the doors of a house before storming in and arresting two men, aged 20 and 22, on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Property in Cheetham Hill where police used controlled explosion to gain entry. Two arrests in connection with #ManchesterBombing pic.twitter.com/4J0W2gDqZH
Updated
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8.23am BST
08:23
Damien Gayle
Hello, Damien Gayle taking the reins of the live blog now and for the rest of today.
Greater Manchester police this morning said they have been carrying out searches at a third address in Cheetham Hill, and another property was being searched in Moss Side.
We have reporters heading to the scenes to find out what’s going on.
Updated
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7.21am BST
07:21
We are going to leave the blog there for now. Thanks for reading. For all the latest news on the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack, please visit our dedicated page.
5.40am BST
05:40
Saturday’s front pages are dominated by extra security on the Bank Holiday and Theresa May accusing Jeremy Corbyn of making excuses for terror attacks.
Saturday's Mail: "Bank holiday ring of steel" (via @hendopolis) #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/qaiHDbUSkf
Saturday's Mirror: "Lockdown Britain. Terror Chief: Go out and enjoy yourselves" (via @hendopolis) #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/4rfjheaT8Y
TELEGRAPH Corbyn is making excuses for terror attacks, says May #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/L6ltLXow6v
The Guardian front page, Saturday 27.05.17: May puts bombing at heart of election with attack on Corbyn pic.twitter.com/u8FZwoVcHe
TIMES: UK home to 23,000 jihadists #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/Qtj4oaUK5x
FT WEEKEND FRONT PAGE: 'May puts Manchester bombing at centre of election campaign' #skypapers pic.twitter.com/2k60mDVfnM
4.05am BST
04:05
The Press Association reports:
GMP said officers made the latest arrests as they executed a warrant at an address in Cheetham Hill, north of the city centre.
It followed searches at a separate property in Cheetham Hill and an address in the Longsight area in south Manchester.
3.30am BST
03:30
Police make two more arrests
Hello, we are back with news that Greater Manchester police have arrested two more men and used a controlled explosion to gain access to an address in Cheetham Hill.
Latest update pic.twitter.com/KiKoeNzfWf
2.02am BST
02:02
Latest update pic.twitter.com/TQOEGajkVL
1.23am BST
01:23
Summary
We are going to pause our live coverage of the aftermath of the attacks for now. For the latest news from Manchester, please visit our dedicated page. Here is what we know so far:
Police made two arrests on Friday, one in Moss Side and one in Rusholme, taking the number of people in custody to nine. The cousins of the bomber are believed to be among those attested. A 34-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy who were also arrested have been released without charge.
Police now say a “large part” of the Manchester attack network has been detained.
The manager of a St Helens pizza shop that was raided by police this morning has claimed that his friend Aimen Elwafi who rented a property to the bomber, Salman Abedi, is one of the people in custody after the Manchester Arena attack. Mohamed Elhudarey said his friend Elwafi, 38, who helped him run Lorenzo Pizza in St Helens, found curtain fabric cut into squares, a strip of metal, and the fire alarms disabled when he re-entered the flat in Blackley, north-west Manchester.
Police have escorted two more men from a property in Moss Side where three others had been led away this morning. After three men were seen leaving with police earlier on Friday, the property was left without a police presence in the form of officers or marked vehicles. After the first police entry, one of the men still present welcomed the Guardian into the property.
British police have resumed sharing information with their counterparts in the US after a brief suspension over a series of leaks by American officials to journalists providing details of the Manchester bomb investigation. The suspension lasted less than 24 hours. The US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said the US took responsibility for the leaks.
The home secretary, Amber Rudd, says the terrorist threat level will remain at critical, and the public can expect to see troops at major events this weekend. The Metropolitan police said armoured police vehicles will be deployed at the FA Cup final at Wembley. Theresa May will chair a Cobra meeting on Saturday morning.
May has said “there can be no excuse for what happened in Manchester”, and denied that under-funding of the police had left the city vulnerable.
Abedi had close connections with criminal gangs as well as known and suspected terrorists in Manchester.Abedi, 22, associated with a gang that has for years waged war with a rival grouping in south Manchester, the Guardian has learned after speaking to members of the local community.
The UK’s foreign policy and approach to fighting terrorism is not working, Jeremy Corbyn has said. The Labour leader said there must be more money for law enforcement, as he suggested Britain’s intervention in wars abroad had fuelled the risk of terrorism at home.
The broadcaster Katie Hopkins and LBC have agreed she will leave her job at the radio station with immediate effect. Earlier this week Hopkins called for a “final solution” following the Manchester attack.
12.57am BST
00:57
The front page of tomorrow’s Manchester Evening News:
Saturday's front page - tributes to the 22 and a call to action. pic.twitter.com/YBQ6FEbEut