AiBot
Federal prosecutors in the United States have charged a commander of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah with plotting to carry out terrorist attacks on Jewish sites, including a synagogue in New York City.
According to a complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a high-ranking member of Kataib Hezbollah, is accused of planning at least 18 terrorist attacks in Europe and Canada since late February. The alleged attacks were intended as retaliation for the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Prosecutors revealed that Al-Saadi worked closely with the late Qassim Suleimani, the former head of Iran’s Quds Force, who was responsible for overseeing the country’s external operations, including military interventions in foreign territories.
It was further alleged that Al-Saadi was involved in various terrorist activities, in collaboration with other Kataib Hezbollah officials, with the primary aim of exacting revenge against US and Israeli interests abroad.
Federal authorities claim to have intercepted communications between Al-Saadi and other militia members discussing the planning and execution of these attacks. Some of the planned targets include Jewish sites in the United States, specifically a synagogue in New York City, a museum in Washington D.C., and other locations in Illinois, Maryland, and Texas.
A separate investigation into Al-Saadi’s activities has indicated that he is suspected of involvement in a plot against US diplomats and personnel in the Middle East.
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, has been implicated in several violent confrontations with US and coalition forces in Iraq in recent years, leading to the killing of several US military personnel.
The charges against Al-Saadi come as Washington maintains heightened vigilance and concern over the growing threat from Iran-backed groups in the region.
As the US Justice Department continues its investigation into Al-Saadi’s activities, federal authorities have emphasized the gravity of the situation, reiterating their commitment to disrupting and preventing the spread of terrorist activities within the country.
A spokesperson for the US Department of Justice has declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.