Arrest of Iraqi terror suspect with alleged links to Iran’s Quds Force is astonishing but not surprising
Iran has a long history of unconventional operations, all designed to divert, distract and destabilise current or potential enemies
TL;DR
- Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an alleged Iraqi commander of an Iranian-backed militia, has been arrested by US authorities.
- He is accused of orchestrating at least 18 terrorist attacks in the UK, Europe, and Canada since the beginning of the Iran war.
- The attacks allegedly include firebombings of banks, an arson attack on a synagogue, a shooting at the US consulate in Toronto, and attacks on Jewish targets in the UK.
- Al-Saadi allegedly used social media platforms like Snapchat and Telegram to claim responsibility for attacks under the name of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI).
- Investigators suspect involvement of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force, a tactic Iran has historically used through proxies.
- Recruitment for these operations reportedly involved criminal networks and individuals motivated by relatively small amounts of money, often recruited via social media.
- Al-Saadi reportedly posted claims of responsibility under his own name and offered money for future attacks.
- He was detained in Turkey, though details are unclear, and is now in federal jail in Brooklyn.
- Al-Saadi's lawyer stated he considers himself a political prisoner and prisoner of war, citing his relationship with former Quds Force leader Qassem Suleimani.