Two men, Walid Saadaoui (38) and Amar Hussein (52), have been found guilty of plotting a mass-casualty shooting spree against the Jewish community in North West England. Prosecutors described the plan as an Islamic State-inspired attempt to orchestrate one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in British history.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The plot was dismantled by an undercover operation after Saadaoui attempted to procure assault rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition from an operative he believed was a fellow militant. Influenced by the 2015 Bataclan massacre, Saadaoui reportedly sought “high-lethality” weapons to maximize casualties.
The conviction follows a string of global concerns regarding resurgent extremism, including a recent mass shooting in Sydney. Security officials, including MI5 and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, warn that while IS lacks its former territorial power, its online radicalization efforts continue to pose a significant and escalating threat to European security.
Key Details: The Foiled Manchester-Area Terror Plot
- The Conviction: Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein were convicted at Preston Crown Court for preparing terrorist acts. Saadaoui’s brother was also convicted for failing to report the crime.
- The Objective: A “Bataclan-style” gun attack targeting Jewish people, aimed at killing hundreds.
- The Sting: The plot failed because the weapons dealer Saadaoui contacted was an undercover police operative.
- The Arsenal: Plans involved smuggling automatic rifles and over 900 rounds of ammunition through the port of Dover.
- The Ideology: Both men “hero-worshipped” Islamic State leaders and aimed for “martyrdom.”
- Context: This is one of 19 late-stage plots thwarted by MI5 since 2020. Officials warn that the Israel-Gaza conflict and online propaganda are driving a new wave of radicalization.
Guilty: IS-Inspired Duo Convicted of Plotting Mass Shooting in UK
A major tragedy was averted in North West England after two extremists were convicted of planning a mass shooting against the Jewish community. The pair aimed to use automatic weapons to carry out a “rampage” inspired by the Paris Bataclan attacks.
Despite the fall of the IS caliphate, UK security officials warn that “poisonous ideologies” online are still driving individuals toward violence. This conviction marks a major win for counter-terrorism policing and highlights the ongoing risk of home-grown extremism.
