Swedish Teenagers Recruited as Guns for Hire: Swedish Gangs Target Israeli Interests Amid Growing Youth Violence

Sweden, once known for its peace and neutrality, is now grappling with an alarming surge in gang-related violence, particularly involving teenagers. Recent incidents targeting Israeli interests highlight the role of these young recruits in a growing wave of criminal activity, allegedly linked to international players like Iran. These developments raise concerns about the increasingly blurred lines between domestic gang warfare and geopolitical conflicts.

A 13-Year-Old Involved in a Shooting Targeting Israeli Interests

In a disturbing incident in Gothenburg, a 13-year-old boy was apprehended for firing shots outside the offices of Israeli tech firm Elbit Systems. According to Swedish police, the boy was caught “in the act” and the shooting is being investigated as an “attempted murder and weapons offense.” Thankfully, no one was harmed in the attack, but the involvement of such a young individual in a high-profile attack has shocked the nation.

Growing Wave of Attacks on Israeli Embassies

This event is just one in a series of attacks against Israeli interests in Sweden and its neighboring countries. Earlier this year, the Israeli embassy in Stockholm was the site of a shooting, while two teenagers were arrested in Copenhagen after detonating hand grenades near the Israeli embassy there. While these attacks left no casualties, Swedish authorities were quick to suggest that Iranian operatives may be pulling the strings.

The Swedish security service, Sapo, has linked these incidents to Iranian efforts to recruit Swedish gang members to carry out attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets. In a statement, Sapo’s head of operations Fredrik Hallstrom labeled Iran’s involvement as an “objective hypothesis,” although the Iranian foreign ministry has dismissed the accusations as “unfounded and biased.”

Sweden’s Gang Problem: The Role of Teenagers

Understanding how teenagers, some as young as 13, have become involved in these attacks requires examining Sweden’s ongoing struggle with gang violence. Criminal gangs in the country, such as Foxtrot, have increasingly turned to teenagers to carry out violent acts—from shootings and bombings to contract killings. The situation escalated further in 2023 when Foxtrot’s leader, Rawa Majid, entered into a deadly feud with his former ally Ismail Abdo, leader of the rival gang, Rumba.

The violence between these gangs has reached alarming levels, with both sides recruiting younger and younger members. Notably, the murder of Abdo’s mother last year, reportedly carried out by two teenagers aged 15 and 19, marked a turning point in Sweden’s gang wars.

Iran’s Alleged Influence on Swedish Gangs

Adding a geopolitical layer to Sweden’s domestic gang issue, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has claimed that Iranian authorities have been using gangs like Foxtrot to carry out attacks on Israeli interests. The collaboration between criminal networks and foreign state actors presents a complex challenge for Swedish law enforcement. Majid, the leader of Foxtrot, is currently evading arrest abroad and is believed to be working with Iranian operatives.

In a statement, Swedish counterintelligence chief Daniel Stenling confirmed that “criminal networks in Sweden are proxies that Iran uses.” This has prompted the Swedish government to take diplomatic actions, including summoning Sweden’s highest diplomat in Tehran to address the matter.

Teenagers at the Center of a Rising Tide of Violence

While these gangs may be orchestrating the violence, the involvement of teenagers is an increasingly troubling trend. In Sweden, an estimated 14,000 people are believed to be involved in criminal gangs, with thousands more connected to these networks. As investigative journalist Diamant Salihu points out, the youths recruited into these criminal enterprises are often doing so for financial gain, rather than ideological motives.

According to criminology expert David Sausdal of Lund University, Sweden’s criminal underworld has developed a “gang gig-economy,” where young people perform dangerous tasks—like delivering a pizza or a hand grenade—simply for the paycheck. These teenagers are often poorly trained, hired not for their skills but their availability and willingness to act.

A National Crisis: Gang Violence and Immigration

Sweden’s gang violence is not only a security threat but also a highly politicized issue. During a recent televised debate, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson argued that much of the gang problem stems from failed integration policies and high immigration rates. The opposition, led by former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, called for a new approach to tackling the issue, acknowledging the deep-rooted problems within Sweden’s societal fabric.

The government has responded by toughening laws and increasing penalties for violent crimes. Notably, there has been a marked increase in the involvement of minors in serious crimes. Between January and July of this year, Swedish authorities reported that 93 children under the age of 15 were involved in murders, attempted murders, or aiding and abetting murder, a significant rise from the previous year.

The Spread of Gang Violence Beyond Sweden

Sweden’s gang problem is no longer confined within its borders. In recent months, multiple Swedish teenagers have been arrested in Denmark for their involvement in violent crimes. The Foxtrot gang, in particular, has extended its operations into neighboring Denmark, partnering with local criminal organizations such as Loyal to Familia. The spillover of violence has led the Danish government to introduce identity checks at the border in an effort to curb the growing threat.

Meanwhile, other Swedish gang members have expanded their activities to Norway, with reports of Foxtrot recruiting youths from government-run treatment homes. The cross-border expansion of these gangs poses an international security challenge, making it a priority for governments across Scandinavia to address the issue collectively.

As Sweden grapples with the rise of teenage violence and gang recruitment, the government’s efforts to impose stricter sentencing laws have only prompted gangs to target younger recruits. With increasing involvement from foreign actors such as Iran, Sweden’s gang problem has grown into a multifaceted crisis that threatens not only domestic peace but international relations as well.

The Swedish authorities face an uphill battle in combating these complex and deeply embedded criminal networks, particularly as they continue to draw in vulnerable youths who see few alternatives but a life of violence. The international community, too, must remain vigilant as these gangs continue to expand their influence beyond Sweden’s borders.