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What is the Manchester Antisemitic Terror Plot?
Two men have received life sentences for planning what could have been one of the deadliest terrorist attacks ever on British soil - an ISIS-inspired antisemitic massacre targeting Manchester's Jewish community. Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were sentenced on February 13, 2026, for plotting to use automatic weapons to attack an anti-antisemitism march and Jewish areas in Manchester. The plot was foiled by an undercover police operation, preventing what authorities described as potentially 'the UK's most deadly terror attack' targeting Jewish communities.
Background and Context of the Terror Plot
The Manchester antisemitic terror plot represents one of the most significant counter-terrorism successes in recent UK history. The two main perpetrators, Saadaoui from Tunisia and Hussein from Kuwait, had sworn allegiance to Islamic State and planned their attack in response to Israeli actions since October 2023. Their plot was uncovered through an undercover operative known as 'Farouk' who infiltrated their network, posing as an extremist willing to supply weapons. This case follows a pattern of increasing antisemitic incidents in the UK, which reached record levels in 2025 with 3,700 reported cases according to the Community Security Trust.
Details of the Planned Attack
Weapons and Tactics
The terrorists planned to smuggle four AK-47 assault rifles, two pistols, and between 900-1,100 rounds of ammunition into the UK. They intended to carry out a 'marauding firearms attack' - first targeting an anti-antisemitism march in Manchester city center, then continuing their killing spree in predominantly Jewish areas of north Manchester. The men had conducted extensive reconnaissance on Jewish schools, synagogues, and shops, and even planned to disguise themselves as Jews during the attack to avoid detection.
Undercover Operation
The plot was foiled when the men attempted to purchase weapons from an undercover police officer posing as an arms dealer. The officer, known only as 'Farouk,' had infiltrated their network and provided them with dummy weapons during the sting operation. This successful counter-terrorism operation prevented what could have been a massacre surpassing the 2025 Bondi Beach attack in Australia, which killed 16 people.
Sentencing and Legal Proceedings
Life Sentences Handed Down
At Manchester Crown Court, Walid Saadaoui received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years, while Amar Hussein was sentenced to life with a minimum of 26 years. The judge stated: 'Your plan was to empty AK-47s into a crowd of unarmed people. Your attack would have led to the death of people of all ages, including children.' The court heard that the attack could have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, with prosecutors describing it as potentially 'one of the deadliest terror attacks ever carried out on British soil.'
Additional Convictions
Saadaoui's brother, Bilel Saadaoui, received six years imprisonment for failing to disclose information about the terrorist plot. The 36-year-old had attended school with Seifeddine Rezgui, the gunman responsible for the 2015 Sousse beach massacre in Tunisia that killed 38 people including 30 Britons. This connection highlighted the international dimensions of extremist networks operating within the UK.
Impact on UK Jewish Communities
The Manchester terror plot sentencing comes amid growing concerns about the safety of Jewish communities across the UK. According to recent data, antisemitic incidents in the UK surged to 3,700 cases in 2025 - the second-highest annual total ever recorded. Greater Manchester, home to one of Britain's largest Jewish communities outside London, recorded 425 antisemitic incidents in 2025 alone. The plot has intensified discussions about counter-terrorism security measures for religious institutions and community events.
FAQ: Manchester Antisemitic Terror Plot 2026
What weapons were planned for the Manchester attack?
The terrorists planned to use four AK-47 assault rifles, two pistols, and 900-1,100 rounds of ammunition to carry out their attack on Jewish targets in Manchester.
How was the terror plot discovered?
An undercover police officer known as 'Farouk' infiltrated the terrorist network and posed as an arms dealer, providing dummy weapons during a sting operation that led to their arrest.
What sentences did the terrorists receive?
Walid Saadaoui received life with a minimum 37-year term, Amar Hussein got life with minimum 26 years, and Bilel Saadaoui received 6 years for failing to disclose information about the plot.
Why did they target Manchester's Jewish community?
The terrorists were inspired by ISIS ideology and planned the attack in response to Israeli actions since October 2023, specifically targeting Jewish communities they viewed as supporting Israel.
How does this relate to other antisemitic incidents in the UK?
This plot occurred amid record antisemitic incidents in the UK, with 3,700 cases reported in 2025 - a 4% increase from 2024 and the second-highest annual total ever recorded.
Sources
This article was compiled from multiple sources including court documents, police statements, and news reports from The Guardian, The Independent, and Community Security Trust reports. Additional context was provided by UK terrorism sentencing statistics and security analysis from counter-terrorism experts.
