ISIS fanatics ‘prepared to kill several hundred people’ in UK terror attack jailed | UK | News

Two men who planned a mass murder of Jewish people in Manchester inspired by the Islamic State have been jailed. Walid Saadaoui, 38, of Crankwood Road, Abram, Wigan; and 52-year-old Amar Hussein, whose address is unknown, were sentenced to a total of 63 years in prison.

Preston Crown Court heard the pair arranged for weapons to be brought into the UK as part of an “ISIS-inspired plot”. Manchester Police said they were caught by an undercover agent who played a “significant role” in foiling their plans. They aimed to bring 4 AK-47 assault rifles, 2 pistols and 900 bullets into England.

Prosecutors said the pair were Islamic extremists who wanted to kill as many Jews as possible using automatic firearms.

Judge Mark Wall sentenced Saadaoui to at least 37 years in prison and Hussein to at least 26 years, saying: “You were very close to being ready to implement this plan.”

The attack could have been the “deadliest terror attack” in British history, according to one of the country’s top counter-terrorism officials.

The terrorist preparations were unrelated to the October attack on the Heaton Park Community Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, in which two worshipers, Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed.

The jury convicted them of preparation for terrorist acts, namely purchasing and arranging for the delivery of firearms, conducting reconnaissance and making attack plans for the purpose of committing terrorist acts between December 13, 2023 and May 9, 2024.

A third defendant – Walid’s brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, of Fairclough Street, Hindley, Wigan – pleaded not guilty to a single charge of failing to disclose acts of terrorism that took place between the same dates. The jury mostly found him guilty.

THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW…