Iraqi national arrested in US and Europe over suspected terror attacks
Iraqi national arrested in US and Europe over suspected terror attacks
A 32-year-old Iraqi operative linked to Kata’ib Hezbollah and IRGC faces six terrorism charges in Manhattan, amid a wider plot stretching across the US and Europe.
The US justice department has arrested and charged an Iraqi national accused of involvement in nearly 20 alleged terror attacks and attempted attacks across the US and Europe. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi is described as a commander for Kata’ib Hezbollah and tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both designated by the US as terrorist organizations. He is alleged to have worked closely with Qassem Suleimani, the IRGC’s former commander, and with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kata’ib Hezbollah, who were killed in 2020. The department’s complaint notes al-Saadi allegedly posted a social media image featuring Suleimani and al-Muhandis with the message: “Our revenge for the martyred leaders is ongoing. No negotiations with the occupier.” The charges filed against him include conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosives.
He appeared in Manhattan federal court on Friday after being transferred into United States custody overseas. The 32-year-old is accused of running networks and coordinating plots across multiple countries, with authorities saying the alleged acts would have targeted civilians and public spaces.
The Justice Department describes al-Saadi as a commander for Kata’ib Hezbollah and ties him to Iran’s IRGC, both designated foreign terrorist organizations by the United States. The case has underscored concerns about Iran-backed proxies operating clandestine networks across Europe and the United States, including in the United Kingdom where Jewish community centers, charities, synagogues and other sites have recently been targeted. Photographs included in the complaint are said to show al-Saadi with Suleimani, highlighting the alleged long reach of these networks. The department also said al-Saadi called for attacks against Americans after the martyred leaders’ deaths and that the investigation is part of broader efforts to counter such operatives.
