“Kill everyone who supports America and Israel. Do not leave any of them remaining.” Prosecutors say Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi posted that in February 2026. Three months later he was in a Manhattan courtroom.
Al-Saadi, 32, is an Iraqi national and a senior member of Kata’ib Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia. EU Today reported that he was arrested in Turkey and handed to the FBI, which flew him to the United States. The Justice Department announced the case on May 15, saying only that he had been “transferred into U.S. custody overseas.”
The charges
The complaint lists six terrorism counts. They include conspiracy to provide material support to Kata’ib Hizballah and to the IRGC, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and attempted destruction of property by fire or explosive.
Prosecutors allege he directed nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States, and coordinated at least 18 in Europe under the name Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya. FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr. put the timeline plainly: “In the span of just three months, Mohammad Al-Saadi allegedly directed 18 terrorist attacks throughout Europe.”
The Jerusalem Post cited two of them. One was an arson at a synagogue in Skopje on April 12, 2026. The other was the stabbing of two Jewish men in London on April 29, 2026. EU Today added a March 9 explosives attack on a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, and an arson in Rotterdam days later.
The American plots
The United States was the next target, according to the complaint. Prosecutors say al-Saadi planned strikes on Jewish institutions in New York, Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. EU Today quoted him as telling an undercover contact, “we provide him with a Jewish temple, a Jewish centre,” and asking whether it was possible to “set the three locations on fire at the same time.”
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said al-Saadi “attempted to carry out attacks in the United States, including in New York City.”
Washington’s reaction
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the commander “directed and urged others to attack U.S. and Israeli interests and to kill Americans and Jews in the U.S. and abroad.” FBI Director Kash Patel called the transfer “a righteous mission executed brilliantly,” and credited Ambassador Tom Barrack with leading what he called a joint sequenced operation.
Al-Saadi appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court, which ordered him held pending trial. His lawyer, Andrew Dalack, called the case a “political prosecution” and argued that his client should be treated as a prisoner of war rather than a criminal defendant.
Sources
- Iraqi National Arrested and Charged with Providing Material Support to Iranian-Backed Terrorist Organizations
- US arrests Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah commander wanted for plots against Jewish targets
- Terror network directed by an Iraqi militia boss
Sources
- From Belgium to New York: The Alleged Terror Network Directed by…
- Turkey hands FBI senior Iraqi militia commander, NYC plot exposed
