Two Islamist extremists have been sentenced to life imprisonment for plotting a marauding firearms attack on Greater Manchester’s Jewish community, a conspiracy described by counter-terrorism authorities as potentially one of the deadliest ever thwarted on British soil.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, from Wigan, was given a life term with a minimum of 37 years, while his accomplice Amar Hussein, 52, originally from Kuwait and of no fixed address, received life with a minimum of 26 years. The judge noted Hussein’s cowardice for refusing to attend most of his trial and sentencing.
Saadaoui’s younger brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 37, also from Wigan, was jailed for six years plus an additional year to be served in the community after being convicted of failing to disclose information about the plot, with prosecutors arguing his knowledge made him as guilty as the plotters.
The Planned Massacre
Driven by what the court described as a “visceral dislike” of Jewish people, Saadaoui and Hussein planned to disguise themselves as Jews and launch a attack using AK-47 assault rifles during an antisemitism march in Manchester city centre, as well as in suburbs north of the city with large Jewish populations. The plot escalated after the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023, though Saadaoui had considered a lone knife attack for years prior.
They conducted reconnaissance around Upper Broughton in Salford to identify targets and visited the Port of Dover to observe border crossings for a planned firearms importation. In a further escalation, they also plotted a “last stand” attack on a British military base.
Saadaoui had arranged for the purchase and delivery of semi-automatic rifles, a semi-automatic pistol, and almost 200 rounds of ammunition, aiming to smuggle four AK-47 assault rifles, two handguns, and 900 rounds into the UK. Prosecutors said the attack could have seen 120 bullets discharged before reloads, potentially causing multiple deaths and serious injuries, including to children, and was considered potentially deadlier than the Bondi Beach massacre in Australia.
Infiltration and Arrest
The plot was foiled by an undercover police officer, codenamed ‘Farouk’, who infiltrated jihadist social media networks over several months. Saadaoui, who used multiple Facebook accounts to spread extremist views and hero-worship Islamic State terrorist Abdelhamid Abaaoud – responsible for the 2015 Paris attacks – introduced ‘Farouk’ to Hussein, believing him to be a fellow extremist who could supply weapons.
On 8 May 2024, Saadaoui was arrested in the car park of the Last Drop Hotel in Bolton during a counter-terror operation involving over 200 officers, as he attempted to take possession of the weapons. The firearms were deactivated upon arrest.
Backgrounds and Ideology
Walid Saadaoui, a Tunisian-born man who moved to the UK and married a British woman, had previously worked as a holiday entertainer organising dance shows and quizzes in Tunisia. In Britain, he became a restaurateur and an avid bird keeper, all while secretly pledging allegiance to Islamic State.
Amar Hussein expressed support for ISIS during the investigation, stating they were “real Muslims” who “make sure of sharia,” according to trial evidence. Bilel Saadaoui was convicted on the basis that he knew of the plot but failed to report it.
Wider Context and Reactions
The trial began just a week after an unrelated deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester, underscoring concerns about a rising tide of antisemitism fueled by global conflicts. Despite territorial defeats, Islamic State ideology continues to inspire attacks globally.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked law enforcement and reassured the Jewish community of the government’s commitment to fighting antisemitism and terror. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts described the sentencing as the conclusion of one of the most significant terrorist plot disruptions in the UK in years.
