Six men were arrested in a terror plot, which reportedly involved ISIS. Authorities confirmed six men between the ages of 18 and 24 were detained in Minneapolis and San Diego. According to reports, the suspects did not pose a threat to public safety. However, the six men are suspected of involvement in “an ISIS-inspired terror plot.”
As reported by CNN , the arrests were part of a year-long investigation led by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces.
“We have a terror recruiting problem in Minnesota”: Arrest of six men from Minneapolis made possible after fri… http://t.co/vhgFIFeURo
— zayn (@zaynmalwik) April 20, 2015
The investigation was sparked by reports of a terrorist recruitment network, which is prominent in Minneapolis’ Somali community. Authorities believe the network targets teens and young men, who are recruited to support the Islamic extremist organizations.
Star Tribune reports, “at least 22 young Somali men have left Minnesota since 2007 to join Al-Shabab.” Authorities believe the six arrested in the terror plot had similar plans.
Abdurahman Yasin Daud and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah were apprehended in San Diego, where they reportedly attempted to gain counterfeit passports. They then planned to cross into Mexico and catch a flight to Turkey – which is a common stopover for those traveling to Syria.
Terror problem in Minnesota? Why have so many men radicalized from the Twin Cities? area: http://t.co/oJPNu1d7sV pic.twitter.com/3IBO7GFHhM
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) February 21, 2015
Adnan Abdihamid Farah, Guled Ali Oma, Hanad Mustafe Musse, and Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahman were arrested in Minneapolis. Although details of their involvement were not revealed, they were also arrested on suspicion of participating in a terror plot.
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Andy Luger said the six men were serious in their support of ISIS .
“These men met regularly to plan their secretive trips… These are focused men, intent on joining a terrorist group by any means possible.”
According to an FBI transcript, at least one of the men openly expressed his disdain with the United States.
“The American identity is dead. Even if I get caught, whatever, I’m through with America. Burn my ID.”
In recent years, an alarming number of young men and women from around the world have left their homes to join Islamic extremist organizations . Officials estimate 3,000 Western teens and young adults traveled to the Middle East to join terrorist sects.
Journalist Avidan Milevsky, with Huffington Post , explains why teens and young adults may be drawn to terrorist organizations .
“Unfortunately, in some cases, [the] combination of heightened idealism, an underdeveloped decision-making process, and a desire to be unique can coalesce in tragic ways. When teens are not given meaningful options for their future life, they may look for them in the wrong place: Syria or Iraq.”
The men arrested in California and Minnesota were charged with conspiracy to aid and support a terrorist organization. All six are also suspected in a terror plot. However, the details of that plot were not revealed.
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