Iraqi national charged with plotting terror attacks on Jewish sites in US, Europe

As per the US authorities, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, the arrested Iraqi militiaman, held close ties with Qasem Soleimani, the assassinated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer, and also sought revenge for the US war in Iran.

In Short

• US authorities arrested Mohammad Al-Saadi, a senior Kataib Hizballah member
• Prosecutors said he worked closely with Iran's IRGC and Qasem Soleimani
• He allegedly directed at least 20 attacks across America and Europe

The United States law enforcement arrested Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iran-backed Iraqi national and a senior member of the Kata’ib Hizballah, a US-designated terrorist organisation.

As per the US Justice Department, Al-Saadi worked closely with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including former military officer Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the US forces in 2020. Saadi is accused of directing at least 20 attacks targeting the US citizens and the Jewish communities across the United States and Europe.

Further, he also allegedly planned several attacks in the near future to seek revenge for the US’s war against Iran, a report by Iran International suggested.

As per a report by the New York Times, it is unclear how Al-Saadi was captured by the US forces. However, he was brought to the United States and was taken to the Manhattan federal court on Friday. He has been charged with six counts of terrorism-related offences, including conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organisations, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosives, and several others.

Talking about the development, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “Thanks to the dedication and vigilance of law enforcement, this alleged terrorist commander is now in US custody.”

“As alleged in the complaint, Al-Saadi directed and urged others to attack US and Israeli interests and to kill Americans and Jews in the US and abroad, and in doing so advance the terrorist goals of Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. These charges show American law enforcement will never let such evil go unchecked and will use all tools to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist organisations and their leaders,” he added.

As per John A Eisenberg, the Assistant Attorney General for the US National Security, Al-Saadi allegedly coordinated a wave of attacks across Europe, including bombings, arson, and assaults targeting American communities and interests. He also discussed attacking several locations in New York, California, and Arizona, including a Jewish synagogue.

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