Two men were convicted on October 31, 2024, for conspiring to carry out a mass shooting targeting the Jewish community in the United Kingdom. Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, aimed to execute a deadly attack inspired by the militant group Islamic State. This case underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist ideologies in Britain.
According to prosecutors, Saadaoui and Hussein expressed commitment to Islamic State beliefs and intended to use automatic firearms to kill as many individuals as possible. Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts, leading counter-terrorism efforts in northwest England, stated that had their plan been executed, it would have resulted in “one of, if not the, deadliest terrorist attack in UK history.”
The two men were apprehended shortly after Saadaoui arranged for a cache of weapons, including two assault rifles and an automatic pistol, to be smuggled into the UK. Their arrest occurred in May 2024, when Saadaoui was in contact with an undercover operative posing as an arms dealer. Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu detailed that Saadaoui had ambitions to acquire additional firearms and more than 900 rounds of ammunition.
Details of the Foiled Attack
Saadaoui’s ambitions were notably alarming, as he idolized Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the orchestrator of the 2015 Bataclan concert hall attack in Paris, which left 130 people dead. In a message to the undercover operative, Saadaoui referred to the Paris incident as “the biggest operation after that of Osama (bin Laden),” linking his extremist views to a broader narrative of violence.
The trial revealed that both men had pleaded not guilty, with Saadaoui claiming he participated in the plot out of fear for his life. Hussein, who attended the trial sporadically, expressed vehement opinions from the dock, notably shouting “how many babies?” in reference to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
On October 31, they were found guilty at Preston Crown Court on a single charge of preparing terrorist acts. Saadaoui’s brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, was also convicted for failing to report information related to terrorism, although he was reluctant to actively participate in the planned attack.
Broader Context of Extremist Threats
This conviction occurs against a backdrop of rising concerns about Islamist extremism in Europe. The Islamic State, which claimed a caliphate in Iraq and Syria from 2014 to 2017, has been known to inspire and direct numerous attacks globally. While the group’s direct control has diminished, European security officials warn that its influence remains potent, with an increase in online radicalisation efforts.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorist threats, noting signs of escalating violence. In recent statements, Ken McCallum, head of the UK’s domestic spy agency MI5, reported that 19 late-stage attack plots had been thwarted since early 2020, alongside hundreds of other terrorism-related investigations.
The case of Saadaoui and Hussein highlights the continued vigilance required to address the threat posed by extremist ideologies. As authorities remain alert to potential attacks, the importance of community awareness and engagement cannot be overstated in preventing future acts of violence.
