Federal authorities have arrested an Iraqi national in connection with a series of planned attacks on religious sites across the United States, including a thwarted terror plot targeting L.A. Jewish institution. The suspect, 32-year-old Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, is accused of working as a commander for a foreign militia and coordinating with Iranian intelligence to orchestrate violence on American soil.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, Al-Saadi allegedly sought to target Jewish institutions in Los Angeles, New York, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The investigation reveals a plot that involved the potential use of improvised explosive devices or arson to kill people and destroy property.
The arrest is the result of a coordinated effort between the FBI and local law enforcement. Al-Saadi is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons. Court records do not yet indicate if he has secured legal representation.
Coordination and Undercover Operations
The plot was disrupted after Al-Saadi engaged with an undercover law enforcement officer. On or about April 3, authorities say Al-Saadi discussed his intentions to carry out killings within the United States. This followed a recorded phone call on April 1, during which Al-Saadi allegedly inquired about hiring individuals to execute attacks.
When the undercover officer asked for specific targets, Al-Saadi reportedly replied, “I mean, we provide him with a Jewish temple, a Jewish center,” according to court documents. The targeted locations in Los Angeles, New York, and Arizona remain undisclosed to the public for security reasons.
In New York City, the plot specifically endangered a Manhattan synagogue. NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch stated that the department worked closely with the synagogue’s leadership to elevate security measures and ensure the safety of the congregation once the threat was identified.
Ties to Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Federal prosecutors allege that Al-Saadi did not act alone but served as a commander for Kata’ib Hizballah, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization based in Iraq. This group is known to be closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian military and counterintelligence agency.
The complaint further links Al-Saadi to the late Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC-QF who was killed in a U.S. Airstrike in 2020. Authorities claim Al-Saadi worked closely with Soleimani, suggesting a high level of integration into the IRGC’s operational hierarchy.
The scope of Al-Saadi’s alleged activity extends beyond U.S. Borders. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. Stated that within a three-month window, Al-Saadi allegedly directed 18 terrorist attacks across Europe, some of which targeted United States citizens and interests.
Summary of Federal Charges
The Department of Justice’s Office of National Security and International Narcotics Unit is handling the prosecution. Al-Saadi faces a complex array of terrorism-related charges designed to address both the planning of the attacks and his leadership role in foreign militias.
| Charge Type | Specific Allegation |
|---|---|
| Material Support | Two counts of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization |
| Terrorism Support | One count of conspiracy and one count of provision of material support for acts of terrorism |
| Public Endangerment | One count of conspiracy to bomb a place of public use |
| Property Destruction | One count of destruction of property by means of fire or explosive |
Impact on Community Security
The revelation of a thwarted terror plot targeting L.A. Jewish institution and other sites has highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing religious communities. The use of “material support” charges underscores the U.S. Government’s strategy to dismantle the financial and logistical pipelines that allow foreign entities like the IRGC to project power domestically.
Security experts note that the targeting of Jewish centers in three disparate cities—Los Angeles, New York, and Scottsdale—suggests a coordinated effort to create a widespread sense of instability. The use of an undercover officer was pivotal in preventing these plans from moving into the execution phase.
For more information on reporting suspicious activity or understanding current threat levels, the public is encouraged to visit the FBI reporting portal or the U.S. Department of Justice official site.
Disclaimer: This report is based on allegations contained in a federal criminal complaint. Under U.S. Law, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The legal process for Al-Saadi is expected to move forward in the Southern District of New York. The next confirmed step will be the initial court appearances to address the terrorism-related charges and determine bail status.
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