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Two men plotted deadly attack against Jewish community in Manchester

Feb 13, 2026, 3:37 PM10
(Update: Feb 13, 2026, 3:37 PM)
major city in Greater Manchester, England, UK
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Two men plotted deadly attack against Jewish community in Manchester

  • Two men, Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein, plotted to target the Jewish community in Manchester as part of an Isis-inspired attack.
  • They were arrested on May 8, 2024, during a major counter-terrorism operation involving over 200 officers.
  • Both men received lengthy prison sentences, highlighting the ongoing threat of extremism in the UK.
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In the United Kingdom, two men, Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein, were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in preparing a potential terror attack targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. The events leading up to their arrest unfolded over several months, culminating in their detention on May 8, 2024, when counter-terrorism police intervened. Authorities launched an extensive operation involving over 200 officers after becoming aware of the men's extremist plans, which included the intention to use automatic weapons in a densely populated area during a public demonstration. Walid Saadaoui, a 38-year-old originally from Tunisia, was the key figure in the conspiracy and had been actively engaged in spreading extremist views online through multiple fake Facebook accounts. His activities drew the attention of police and set in motion a significant counter-terrorism investigation. Saadaoui was intent on carrying out an attack he had planned months in advance, expressing his desire to martyr himself during the strike. His accomplice, 52-year-old Amar Hussein, also facilitated the operation, further underscoring the malicious intent behind their actions. The court proceedings revealed the chilling details of their plot. During the trial, it was disclosed that Saadaoui had arranged to procure the weapons—AK-47s, initially thought to be smuggled into the UK—and had even prepared a will in anticipation of his death. He allegedly believed he could cause mass casualties among unarmed civilians at a demonstration organized by the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, which had attracted thousands of attendees. A fake identity was also utilized to engage with groups opposed to anti-Semitism, underscoring the duplicitous nature of their actions. Ultimately, Saadaoui and Hussein were both convicted of preparing acts of terrorism between December 2023 and May 2024. Saadaoui was handed a minimum sentence of 37 years, while Hussein received 26 years. Their arrests and subsequent convictions are a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by extremist ideologies and the importance of counter-terrorism efforts to protect communities from such plots. In addition to the main suspects, another individual, Bilel Saadaoui, received a six-year sentence for failing to disclose information about the attack, indicating the broader network of support surrounding these extremists.

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