MANCHESTER STANDS FIRM
SALMAN Abedi - the man believed to be responsible for Manchester’s worst-ever terror attack - was raised close to the city centre he left reeling by his evil act.
The Salford University student’s parents are believed to have fled to England as refugees fleeing Colonel Gadaffi’s regime in Libya.
Seeking sanctuary in Manchester, the family retained close ties to Libya. However, the streets Abedi played in as a boy were all in south Manchester. One of four siblings, it is understood he has lived in Moss Side, Fallowfield and Whalley Range - areas just a few short miles from the Manchester Arena.
Abedi is also believed to have links with Didsbury Mosque.
It is believed the 22-year-old carried out a nail bomb attack as he arrived at the Arena sending a lethal shower of nuts and bolts into innocent young pop fans - and killing himself in the process
Police are believed to have identified Abedi soon after the attack was carried out. Within 12 hours, armed officers had blown the door off a house where he was had been living.
Armed officers raided a house in Elsmore Road, Fallowfield, and used an explosive device to force an entry. The estate is close to the Platt Lane sports complex used by Manchester City for its young academy, and the neighbourhood’s student housing.
Police also raided a flat in a well-kept block in Carlton Road, Whalley Range.
It is not yet known whether Abedi was on the radar of the security services. However, those who knew Abedi believe it was only recently that he became radicalised.
He had previously lived in Searby Road, Gorton. One neighbour there said: “He walked past me one evening. He looked at me with his cold black eyes. It was an expression I didn’t want to see on a face. He looked at me in a way that suggested he could take care of himself. I said at the time I wouldn’t be surprised if he was Isis.”
Antone Jones, who lives round the corner from Abedi on Elsmore Road, said there had been a large flag with Arabic writing draped on the roof of the house.
He said: “I have been here about 10 years and I have known him all that time.
“I never really knew him well, he always kept himself to himself.
“But about two years ago there was a black flag on the roof with Arabic writing on it.
“We never had any idea he was doing anything like this though. He was quiet.
“They are a big family, sometimes you would see people out doing up cars or motorbikes. We are out playing football on the street a lot but he never would.” One neighbour said: “I’ve seen him knocking about for a few years. “I’ve seen him driving up and down in his car but I never knew him. I never had any dealings, he was a quiet guy.” Another neighbour said: “It just shows anyone could be living near you. “It is absolutely atrocious what has happened.” He said Abedi lived there with two other young men. “Him and two others lived there. They always had their hoods up which I thought was a bit unsual. They had a vibe about them. Like they were drug users.” Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack and one police source said: “If may have been a lone wolf in terms of the bombing, but he was not a lone wolf in terms of preparation.” Another person who said they knew Abedi from school said: “He was a outgoing fun guy but since he went to Libya in 2011 he came back a different guy. “He used to drink, smoke weed then all of a sudden he turned religious and I’ve not seen him since 2012.” Police believe that Abedi was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated inside the foyer - killing many and leaving others with life-altering injuries. ‘Two years ago, there was a black flag with Arabic writing on his roof’ Antone Jones, who lives round the corner from Abedi’s house
GMP and counter terrorism officers now have the task of identifying whether or not Abedi had been supplied with the know-how to carry out the atrocity by an organised network.
Senior police are understood to have been briefed that others are involved in the attack.
Officers armed with machine guns arrested a 23-year-old man near to the Morrison’s supermarket in Chorlton yesterday morning.
And a huge team of detectives and analysists are now checking CCTV throughout the city centre in order to track the killer’s movements and to establish if he did so alone.
Police investigating the horrific attack at the Manchester Arena are appealing to anyone who was in Manchester city centre between 8pm and 11pm on Monday and has dash-cam footage to send it as a matter of urgency to https://ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk/
Following the dramatic raid on the property which was Abedi’s registered address, residents spoke of their shock that their seemingly-quiet neighbour could have carried out the atrocity.
One said: “Bomb disposal experts were seen on the street before what appeared to be a controlled explosion took place to allow police - including anti-terrorism officers - to enter a house.
Another onlooker said: “We heard a loud bang and then saw officers going into a house.
“There was about 20 armed officers in all black with machine guns. There were another 20 uniformed officers.
“There were also plain clothes officers who were armed.
“The road was cordoned off, but there was no evacuation of the street.”
Images shared by residents showed armed