Iraqi Terror Commander Charged with Plotting Attacks on U.S. Jewish Sites

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national and commander of the Iranian-backed terrorist group Kata’ib Hizballah, has been charged with planning multiple terror attacks targeting Jewish institutions in the United States, federal prosecutors announced. Al-Saadi faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations and conspiracy to bomb public places.

According to court documents, Al-Saadi attempted to recruit an undercover law enforcement agent to carry out attacks on a prominent synagogue in New York City, as well as Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. He allegedly provided photos and maps of the targets and agreed to pay $10,000 in cryptocurrency for the attacks, sending a $3,000 down payment. The planned attacks were to be executed by April 6.

Al-Saadi was arrested in Turkey and transferred to U.S. custody. He appeared in federal court in Lower Manhattan and is being held pending further proceedings, with his next court date set for June 29.

Prosecutors say Al-Saadi has been involved in planning and promoting approximately 18 terror attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests in Europe since March 9, including attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and arson attacks in London. He has also directed attacks in Canada and called for violence against Americans and Israelis since the outbreak of the war involving Iran on February 28.

Court filings reveal Al-Saadi’s ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and his past meetings with the late IRGC leader Qasem Soleimani. Since at least 2017, Al-Saadi has worked to advance the goals of Kata’ib Hizballah and the IRGC, both designated foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S.

In recorded communications, Al-Saadi expressed violent intentions, stating, “war will not end. Either they eradicate us, or we eradicate them,” and urging followers to kill supporters of America and Israel.

Law enforcement officials highlighted the significance of disrupting the plot. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges demonstrate that American law enforcement will use all tools to dismantle foreign terrorist organizations. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the global threat posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies, noting the group’s history of targeting Jewish communities across Europe and the U.S.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned antisemitism and violent extremism, expressing relief that the attack was prevented. New York Governor Kathy Hochul thanked law enforcement for their efforts to protect Jewish New Yorkers amid heightened security measures.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated that Al-Saadi’s prosecution underscores the federal government’s commitment to bringing terrorists to justice and protecting American society from intimidation and violence.