UK police arrest 2 suspects in Texas synagogue siege probe

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - British counter terrorism police arrested two individuals on Thursday in an ongoing investigation into an attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas earlier in the week, a statement from Manchester police said.

"Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West continue to support US authorities with their investigation into the events in Texas," the statement said, referring to the incident dubbed the Texas synagogue siege.

It added: "As a result of this ongoing investigation, two men have been arrested this morning in Birmingham and Manchester. They remain in custody for questioning."

Two men were arrested on Thursday morning in Birmingham and Manchester, according to the Greater Manchester Police.

Earlier this week, two teenagers were arrested in the same region but later released without any charges.

Four people, including a rabbi, were held by a gunman, British national Malik Faisal Akram, who entered the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville during a religious service.

After hours of standoff with law enforcement, all hostages were freed, the police said, adding that the captor was killed in a shooting incident.

British counter terrorism police are co-investigating the possible links to the incident alongside US investigators.