Major Terror Plot Foiled in Manchester
In a landmark counter-terrorism case, two men have been found guilty of plotting what authorities describe as potentially 'the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history' - an Islamic State-inspired gun rampage targeting Manchester's Jewish community. Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were convicted at Preston Crown Court on December 23, 2025, for preparing acts of terrorism between December 2023 and May 2024.
The Plot: Weapons, Surveillance and Deadly Intent
The elaborate scheme involved plans to smuggle four AK-47 assault rifles, two handguns, and 900 rounds of ammunition into the UK. Saadaoui had already arranged to purchase two assault rifles and nearly 200 rounds when he was arrested. According to court evidence, the men conducted extensive surveillance on Jewish schools, synagogues, and community gatherings in north Manchester, with Saadaoui traveling to Dover to assess smuggling routes for weapons.
'He saw it as his role and duty to kill as many Jews as possible,' said police officials, describing Saadaoui's stated intentions. The plot was so advanced that Saadaoui had left tens of thousands of pounds in cash for his family and shared his will with his younger brother, indicating he expected to die in the attack.
Undercover Operation Prevents Catastrophe
The plot was foiled through a sophisticated undercover operation where Saadaoui unknowingly communicated with a police operative he believed was a weapons supplier. The operative, using the alias 'Farouk,' gained Saadaoui's trust over months of communication, during which the defendant expressed admiration for Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the mastermind behind the 2015 Paris attacks that killed 130 people.
'The undercover officer put himself in considerable danger every time he met two potential terrorists,' said Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts. 'He could have become a target himself at any moment, but risked his own safety in the interest of protecting the public.'
ISIS Inspiration and Growing Threat
The men had fully embraced Islamic State ideology and were prepared to sacrifice themselves for their extremist beliefs. Saadaoui used a photo of Abaaoud as his social media profile picture and spread extremist content online, which initially drew authorities' attention.
The conviction comes amid heightened security concerns following recent attacks globally. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum recently warned that terrorism investigations have reached record levels in the UK. 'In the past five years, nineteen advanced-stage attack plots have been prevented in the United Kingdom,' McCallum stated in a recent threat update available on the MI5 website.
Broader Context and Community Impact
A third defendant, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, was convicted of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts. All three will be sentenced on February 13, 2026.
The case highlights ongoing threats to Jewish communities in the UK. According to the Community Security Trust, antisemitic incidents have been rising, with Jewish institutions requiring enhanced security measures. The plot was uncovered just weeks after a deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester in October 2025, though police emphasize the cases are not connected.
British Foreign Secretary Cooper expressed concern about escalating terrorist threats, stating: 'There are signs that the terrorist threat is increasing and escalating again.' The successful prosecution demonstrates the effectiveness of UK counter-terrorism efforts while underscoring the persistent danger posed by extremist ideologies.