Washington arrests leader of "Hezbollah Iraq" Muhammad Baqir Al-Saadi

SadaNews - The U.S. authorities announced late Friday to Saturday the arrest of a leader of the Iranian-backed "Hezbollah" militias in Iraq on charges of planning attacks in the United States, Canada, and Europe, including terrorist attacks on Jewish sites.

The FBI Director, Kash Patel, stated that Muhammad Baqir Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, who is presented as a leader in the "Hezbollah" militias in Iraq, is a "high-value target responsible for mass terrorism activities globally."

Washington classifies the "Hezbollah" militias as a "terrorist group" and regularly announces its responsibility for drone and missile attacks on bases hosting U.S. soldiers in Iraq and the Middle East.

The U.S. Department of Justice indicated that Al-Saadi was transferred to the United States, without specifying the time and place of his arrest, where he appeared before a federal judge in New York on Friday. The judge formally charged him with six counts related to terrorism activities and ordered him to be held in custody.

According to U.S. authorities, the 32-year-old Iraqi Muhammad Baqir Saad Dawood Al-Saadi and his associates "planned, coordinated, and claimed responsibility for at least 18 terrorist attacks in Europe and two attacks in Canada" in retaliation for the military strike that the United States and Israel launched against Iran on February 28.

The Justice Department mentioned a stabbing incident targeting two Jewish men in London in late April, with the suspect awaiting trial. It also reported arson attacks or attempted arson attacks targeting Jewish synagogues, Israeli stores, and Jewish schools in Amsterdam, Munich, and elsewhere.

The exact role of Al-Saadi remains unclear, as court documents refer to propaganda videos published on social media following various attacks.

During a phone conversation, Al-Saadi also informed an FBI informant that he or his associates were involved in the European attacks and in two attacks in Canada.

Regarding his plans in the United States, the suspect is accused of providing an undercover agent with photos and maps indicating the location of a major Jewish synagogue in New York, in addition to two other Jewish institutions in Los Angeles and Scottsdale (Arizona), and instructing the agent to carry out terrorist attacks against these sites.

He also discussed over the phone with the undercover agent how he would carry out the attack on the New York synagogue, mentioning the use of a homemade explosive device. However, no attack occurred.

According to the Justice Department, Muhammad Baqir Saad Dawood Al-Saadi previously worked "closely" with Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. strike near Baghdad airport in January 2020.