In a chilling development highlighting the surge in anti-Semitism following the October 7 Hamas attacks, two migrants have been sentenced to a combined 63 years in prison for plotting what authorities describe as potentially Britain's "worst ever" terrorist atrocity. Amar Hussein and Walid Saadaoui, driven by a twisted desire for revenge against Israel's military actions, meticulously planned a mass casualty firearm assault on Jewish participants at an anti-Semitism march in Manchester.
A Plot Foiled by Exceptional Bravery
The elaborate scheme, which police chiefs labelled "genuinely chilling," was ultimately thwarted by an "exceptionally brave" undercover operative (UCO) who infiltrated the terror cell over six months. Posing as an arms dealer named "Abu Bilal," the UCO convinced the plotters that he could supply them with a cache of assault rifles, handguns, and over 900 rounds of ammunition via a cross-Channel ferry from France.
Chilling Intentions Revealed
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC told Preston Crown Court that the defendants' ambitions, had they been realised, would have resulted in "one of the deadliest attacks involving firearms in the UK's history." The plot, which fell between other attacks on Jewish communities in Manchester and Sydney, was described as "very much more serious" in its potential scale and impact.
Saadaoui, a 38-year-old Tunisian-born former hotel entertainer and restaurant owner, explicitly stated his desire to "kill as many Jews as possible" and even discussed rubbing the blood of his victims on his body. He chillingly remarked that the deaths of any Christians caught in the attack would be considered "a bonus."
Undercover Operation and Arrests
The UCO, operating under the pseudonym Farouk, first engaged with Saadaoui online before progressing to in-person meetings. He reported to his superiors that he believed "a lot of people" would be killed without intervention. Due to significant safety concerns, police established a large armed operation to protect the operative during his interactions with the plotters.
On two occasions, armed officers covertly followed the UCO as he travelled with Hussein and Saadaoui from Greater Manchester to the White Cliffs National Trust nature reserve near Dover. There, they posed as tourists to conduct hostile reconnaissance of security checks at the port, where they believed the weapons would be imported.
The Final Confrontation
The operation culminated on May 8, 2024, when dramatic bodycam footage captured the moment armed officers apprehended Saadaoui in the car park of a Lancashire spa hotel. A brief pursuit ensued before he was dragged to the ground. Simultaneously, Hussein was arrested at his electrical appliance business in Bolton.
Unbeknownst to the plotters, the supposedly deadly arsenal consisted entirely of deactivated guns, a crucial element of the police strategy to neutralise the threat without actual weapons changing hands.
Ideological Motivations and Aftermath
During questioning, Hussein, a 52-year-old who claimed to be a former Iraqi soldier, openly declared his pride in being a terrorist and expressed support for ISIS, stating, "All Muslims, they are hypocrites, but ISIS, they are real Muslims, they make Sharia." He further asserted, "I'm proud, be terrorist here, I'm proud. It's not from us, god sent to us. We are army from god."
Saadaoui, who "hero-worshipped" Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the mastermind behind the 2015 Paris attacks, had prepared meticulously for his planned martyrdom. He created a will, emptied his bank accounts, and made final visits to family members, including a trip to see his mother in Tunisia.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson emphasised the gravity of the plot, stating, "This is not a hyperbolic use of language. This was their intent to commit mass murder." He warned that had the cell succeeded, the consequences would have been "truly awful," ranking among the worst global atrocities.
Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust, praised counter-terror police for their "amazing job" but issued a stark warning about rising anti-Semitism. He noted that since the October 7 attacks, sections of society have "turned against Jews," underscoring the heightened threat environment.
The trial also resulted in the conviction of Saadaoui's brother, Bilel, 35, for failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism. He had received a copy of his brother's will and a key to a hidden safe containing substantial sums of cash.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent terrorist threats facing the UK and the critical role of undercover operations in safeguarding national security. It also highlights the alarming rise in anti-Semitic sentiment and violence, prompting calls for continued vigilance and unwavering support for Jewish communities across Britain.
