Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi is an Iraqi national and a senior commander of Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Islamic Fascist Republic of Iranian-backed militia and U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). On May 15, 2026, the United States Department of Justice announced that Al-Saadi had been arrested and charged with multiple terrorism-related offenses connected to alleged attacks and plots targeting Americans, Jews, Israeli interests, and Western institutions in Europe and North America.[1]
Background
According to U.S. federal prosecutors, Al-Saadi had been associated with Kata’ib Hizballah since at least 2017 and maintained close ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), particularly the IRGC-Quds Force.[2] Federal investigators alleged that Kata’ib Hizballah operated under the pseudonym Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) to conduct attacks throughout Europe.[2]
Arrest and charges
On May 15, 2026, the Justice Department announced that Al-Saadi had been arrested overseas, transferred into U.S. custody, and transported to the United States.[3] Al-Saadi appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where he was ordered detained pending trial.[2] The criminal complaint charged Al-Saadi with six terrorism-related offenses, including: * Conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization * Conspiracy to provide material support for acts of terrorism * Conspiracy to bomb a place of public use[2]
Terrorist activities
Prosecutors accuse that Al-Saadi coordinated or encouraged nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and North America.[3] Among the incidents cited in the complaint were:
- A March 9, 2026 bombing of a synagogue in Liège, Belgium
- A March 13 arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam, Netherlands
- A March 14 explosives attack on a Jewish school in Amsterdam
- An attack on a Bank of New York Mellon office in Amsterdam
- Multiple arson attacks targeting Jewish organizations in London * A stabbing attack in London that seriously injured two Jewish men[2] U.S. prosecutors also alleged that Al-Saadi attempted to orchestrate attacks within the United States, including plans targeting a synagogue in New York City and Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.[2] According to court documents, Al-Saadi communicated with an undercover operative posing as a member of a Mexican cartel and agreed to pay US$10,000 to carry out a bombing attack against a synagogue in New York City.[2]
"One of the revelations in the charges against" Kataib Hezbollah "senior official Mohammad Al-Saadi was that he and Iran may have been responsible for two attacks in Toronto, a March 10 US consulate shooting, and at least one of the three March shootings at a synagogue."[4]
Statements from officials
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that Al-Saadi had “directed and urged others to attack U.S. and Israeli interests and to kill Americans and Jews in the U.S. and abroad.”[3] FBI Director Kash Patel described the arrest as part of a broader effort to “bring terrorists to justice.”[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Iraqi National Arrested and Charged with Providing Material Support to Iranian-Backed Terrorist Organizations and Directing Attacks Targeting U.S. Citizens and Interests. Office of Public Affairs (May 15, 2026).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Mark Morales (May 15, 2026). Iraqi militant leader ‘directed and urged’ attacks on Americans and Jews over Iran war, feds say. CNN Newsource.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Iraqi National Arrested and Charged with Providing Material Support to Iranian-Backed Terrorist Organizations and Directing Attacks Targeting U.S. Citizens and Interests. Office of Public Affairs (May 15, 2026).
- ↑ The Jerusalem Post retweeted Michael Starr @StarrJpost. (May 16, 2026)