Archive · 24 Dec 2025
UK Men Convicted in ISIS-Inspired Terror Plot
Two men in the UK were found guilty of planning a big, scary attack on Jewish people.
They wanted to use guns to hurt as many people as possible.
The men said they liked the ideas of a group called ISIS, which is a group that does bad things and wants to hurt people.
The police found out about the plan and stopped it before it could happen.
This shows that even though ISIS is not as strong as it used to be, they can still influence people to do bad things.
There have been other similar attacks recently, like one in Australia where 15 people were killed.
The police and other officials are working hard to stop these kinds of attacks and to keep people safe.
Two men, Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein, were convicted of plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on the Jewish community in northwest England.
They planned to use automatic firearms to kill hundreds of people, with Saadaoui arranging for weapons to be smuggled into the UK.
Saadaoui claimed he was coerced into the plot out of fear, while Hussein made no defense and barely attended his trial.
The convictions come amid growing concerns about ISIS's resurgence through online propaganda and radicalization.
Recent similar attacks, including the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, have heightened fears of rising antisemitism and violent extremism.
- Who
- Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, Islamic extremists
- What
- Plot to kill hundreds of Jews with automatic firearms
- When
- Convicted on December 23, 2024; plot planned in May 2024
- Where
- Northwest England
- Why
- Inspired by ISIS ideology and propaganda
Defendants' Claims
Prosecution's Evidence
Motivation
Defendants' Claims
Saadaoui claimed he played along out of fear for his life and had no intention to carry out an attack.
Prosecution's Evidence
Prosecutors presented evidence that Saadaoui and Hussein were prepared to become 'martyrs' and embraced ISIS views.
- Date of Conviction
- December 23, 2024
- Location of Plot
- Northwest England
- Target
- Jewish community
- Weapons Planned
- Assault rifles, automatic pistol, and ammunition
- Undercover Operative
- Saadaoui was communicating with an undercover operative posing as a militant
- Recent Similar Attacks
- Bondi Beach attack in Australia, Manchester synagogue attack
- ISIS's Current Threat
- Online propaganda and radicalization
- Counterterrorism Efforts
- Thwarted 19 late-stage attack plots since 2020 in the UK
Sources
Bondi attack: Islamic State isn’t back in Asia, but its ideas endure
Two UK men found guilty over terrorism plot against Jewish community
Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill hundreds of Jews as IS fears grow
Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill hundreds of Jews as IS fears grow
