A British court has sentenced Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein to life imprisonment for their roles in an ISIS-inspired terror plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. The case, which authorities described as one of the most serious domestic terrorism threats in recent years, involved plans to acquire weapons and carry out a mass-casualty attack designed to mirror tactics used by the Islamic State.

Prosecutors detailed how the two men had embraced a violent extremist ideology and moved beyond online radicalization toward operational planning. Investigators uncovered efforts to obtain firearms and logistical preparations consistent with a suicide-style assault on Jewish targets, an attack that could have resulted in catastrophic loss of life had it not been disrupted by security services. The court heard that the plot was in an advanced stage before it was foiled, underscoring both the intent and the capability behind the conspiracy.

Evidence presented during the trial included recorded statements and communications revealing strong ideological alignment with ISIS. In one interview cited in court, Amar Hussein expressed support for the group’s interpretation of Sharia law and denounced other Muslims as illegitimate for rejecting its authority. Prosecutors argued that these statements demonstrated not only ideological sympathy but a willingness to translate extremist beliefs into violent action against civilians.

Counterterrorism officials emphasized that the successful disruption of the plot reflected sustained intelligence work and coordination between law enforcement and security agencies. The life sentences imposed on both men signal the severity with which the British justice system treats terrorism offenses, particularly those involving targeted threats against religious minorities. Authorities also highlighted the importance of early intervention in cases where individuals progress from radical rhetoric to concrete attack planning.

The Jewish community in Manchester had been identified as the primary target, reinforcing longstanding concerns about antisemitic terrorism linked to jihadist movements. Community leaders expressed relief at the outcome while noting the ongoing need for vigilance and robust security measures to protect places of worship and communal institutions.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by ISIS-inspired extremism even after the group’s territorial defeat in the Middle East. While online propaganda continues to act as a catalyst for radicalization, the transition from ideology to operational planning remains the critical threshold that security services aim to detect and disrupt.

With the perpetrators now facing life sentences, officials stress that continued monitoring of extremist networks, prevention programs, and community cooperation remain essential components of the broader counterterrorism strategy. The foiled attack underscores both the scale of the threat and the effectiveness of proactive measures in preventing mass-casualty violence.