 "FBI foils suspected Halloween terror plot in Michigan, arrests several suspects")
FBI Director Kash Patel said Friday that the agency had prevented a “potential terrorist attack” planned in the northern US state of Michigan over Halloween weekend.
Investigators believe the plot was inspired by Islamic State extremism and are investigating whether those in custody were potentially radicalised online, according to two people briefed on the investigation who could not publicly discuss details. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
FBI and state police vehicles were in a neighbourhood near Fordson High School in Dearborn. People wearing shirts marked FBI walked in and out of a house, including one person who collected paper bags and other items from an evidence truck.
“This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend,” Patel said in a post on X.
“Through swift action and close coordination with our local partners, a potential act of terror was stopped before it could unfold,” Patel said.
“The vigilance of this FBI prevented what could have been a tragic attack – and thanks to their dedication, Michigan will have a safe and happy Halloween,” he added.
The FBI director said more details about the alleged plot would be released later.
In a post on Facebook, the police department in Dearborn, a city west of Detroit, said the FBI had conducted operations there early Friday.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“We want to assure our residents that there is no threat to the community at this time,” the Dearborn police department said.
Residents in the Dearborn neighbourhood watched as investigators worked at the house.
“It’s really scary because we have a lot of relatives around this neighbourhood,” said Fatima Saleh, who was next door.
Separately, in May, the FBI said it arrested a man who had spent months planning an attack against a U.S. Army site in suburban Detroit on behalf of Islamic State. The man, Ammar Said, didn’t know that his supposed allies in the alleged plot were undercover FBI employees.
Said remains in custody, charged with attempting to provide support to a terrorist organization. The criminal complaint was replaced in September with a criminal “information” document, signalling that a plea agreement could be possible in the months ahead.
With inputs from agencies
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