US Charges Iraqi Commander Over 18 Europe Attacks and $10,000 NYC Synagogue Bomb Plot
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 15
US Charges Iraqi Commander Over 18 Europe Attacks and $10,000 NYC Synagogue Bomb Plot
6 articles · Updated · CNN · May 15
Mohammad al-Saadi, an alleged Kataib Hezbollah commander, was ordered held without bail in Manhattan after prosecutors charged him with coordinating at least 18 attacks in Europe and plotting strikes on US Jewish sites.
Prosecutors say he directed attacks on Americans and Jews to retaliate for the war in Iran and advance Kataib Hezbollah and IRGC goals, including a plan to bomb a prominent New York synagogue.
A criminal complaint says al-Saadi thought he was hiring a Mexican cartel operative but was dealing with an undercover agent; he agreed to pay $10,000 and demanded the attack be recorded.
Federal authorities also allege he coordinated two attacks in Canada and targeted Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, while Kataib Hezbollah used the HAYI alias in the Europe arson campaign.
His lawyer said Turkish authorities arrested him and handed him to the US without a chance to challenge the transfer, calling him a political prisoner tied to the legacy of Qasem Soleimani.
With an Iranian commander in US custody, are his operatives still plotting attacks on American soil?
Did a 40-day war against Iran create more dangerous, unpredictable terror cells worldwide?
Hybrid Terrorism in Europe: Iran’s Proxy Attacks on Jewish Sites Since March 2026 and the HAYI Operational Model
Overview
Since March 2026, Europe has seen a rise in attacks on Jewish sites, with Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) claiming responsibility for several incidents, including those in Rotterdam and at a Jewish school. These attacks, which often occur at night, have created a new threat landscape and prompted heightened vigilance across the continent. While HAYI quickly claims responsibility for some attacks, experts warn that many of their other claims are likely disinformation or hoaxes. This mixed credibility makes it difficult for authorities to fully assess the scope of HAYI’s activities and respond effectively to the evolving threat.