The arrest by U.S. authorities of an alleged member of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia, accused of plotting terrorist attacks against Jewish individuals in Toronto and other locations, serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of foreign-backed terrorism targeting Canadians, according to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
CIJA Calls for Immediate Action
In a statement released on Sunday, CIJA emphasized the urgent need for Canada to strengthen its counter-terrorism measures. The organization specifically called for Kata'ib Hizballah, the militia linked to the alleged attacks, to be immediately listed as a banned terrorist entity in Canada. While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is already on Canada's terrorist list, Kata'ib Hizballah has not been designated, despite being classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States since 2009.
CIJA argued that a mere designation is insufficient. The group stated, "We need the strongest possible measures to ensure terrorist organizations and their proxies cannot operate in Canada, including a crackdown on the promotion, recruitment, and financing of terrorism, as well as the radicalization that fuels violent attacks on Canadians."
Details of the Arrest
U.S. authorities announced on Friday that Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a 32-year-old senior commander in the Shia Islamist group, was arrested for coordinating and supporting terrorist plots targeting Jewish and American individuals and locations in Europe, Canada, and the United States. The attacks in Canada included two in Toronto: a shooting at the U.S. consulate in March and an attack on an undisclosed synagogue. In the week leading up to the consulate incident, three synagogues had been targeted.
Court documents unsealed last week describe Al-Saadi as "a high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism." Prosecutors allege that he directed or encouraged attacks in retaliation for recent U.S.-Israeli military strikes in Iran. The court filings link him and his associates to at least 16 other attacks in the U.S. and Europe, including stabbings, synagogue arsons, and attacks on Jewish schools and Israeli businesses. Authorities also claim that he helped spread propaganda about the attacks online.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigators further allege that Al-Saadi later planned attacks from within the U.S., targeting another synagogue in New York and Jewish centres in California and Arizona. He is accused of paying an undercover FBI operative a US$3,000 downpayment to carry out one of the attacks before his arrest. Al-Saadi appeared in a New York City federal court on Friday, facing six terrorism-related charges.
CIJA's call for a crackdown comes amid heightened security measures in Toronto, where anti-terrorism units have been deployed to public spaces. The organization's statement on X highlighted the need for Canada to take decisive action against terrorist organizations and their supporters, underscoring the real and growing threat of foreign-backed terrorism targeting Canadians.
