The FBI announced the arrest of Anas Said, a Houston resident accused of plotting a 9/11-style terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Said, who has allegedly supported ISIS since 2015, was taken into custody last week after a lengthy investigation by the FBI’s Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force. Officials revealed that Said had made several attempts to travel overseas to join ISIS and had actively planned acts of violence within the United States.
#BREAKING FBI Houston SAC Douglas Williams announces the arrest of 28-year-old Anas Said. He is accused of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and, by his own admission, planning a #terrorist attack on U.S. soil – all from his apartment in far west Houston. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/o8TnNwRkLn
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) November 14, 2024
Douglas Williams, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge in Houston, stated during a press conference, “Today is a great day. We’ve taken a suspected terrorist off the streets of Houston.” Said’s arrest was the culmination of years of monitoring his activities, which included disseminating ISIS propaganda, scouting potential attack sites, and allegedly offering his home as a safe haven for ISIS operatives.
BREAKING: FBI arrests Houston man for alleged ISIS ties, terror plot on U.S. soil https://t.co/mPP9iTh6JU
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 14, 2024
According to court documents, Said’s radicalization began after returning to the U.S. from Lebanon in 2014. He initially caught the attention of the FBI in 2017 when he ordered ISIS-related stickers. The FBI has kept tabs on him since, watching his growing involvement in online extremist circles and his attempts to produce videos and images for ISIS propaganda. His recent arrest followed what authorities described as a significant escalation in his plans, including researching military recruitment centers and discussing his intentions to commit violent acts against U.S. military personnel.
Said’s detention memo filed in court highlights chilling details about his mindset and intentions. He allegedly told investigators he would target U.S. service members who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan, particularly if they expressed support for Israel. According to the memo, Said admitted to considering purchasing a gun and scouting locations in Houston as part of his plan to carry out a large-scale attack.
Authorities also reported that Said became more radicalized after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas against Israel, which may have intensified his commitment to violent extremism. The FBI noted that Said had produced multiple videos and images to spread ISIS propaganda, suggesting a deepening involvement with the terror group’s ideology.
During his arrest, Said reportedly attempted to destroy his cellphone by throwing it to the ground, but was taken into custody without incident. He is currently facing charges of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization, and his arraignment and detention hearing are set for Thursday afternoon.
The swift action by federal agents has been hailed as a crucial step in preventing a potentially devastating attack. “This was a serious threat, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force did an outstanding job,” said Williams. The arrest marks a significant victory for law enforcement, but also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing domestic terror threats linked to extremist ideologies.
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