PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A Philadelphia teen is accused of plotting a potentially deadly terrorist strike after federal agents discovered evidence that the adolescent connected with an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist cell and acquired bomb-making supplies.
The 17-year-old was detained at his West Philadelphia residence on August 11 by FBI SWAT officers. The move came after an investigation performed by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the details of which were made public on Monday, August 14, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office reports.
What is Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad?
According to the United Nations Security, Khatiba al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, formerly known as Jannat Oshiklari, functions as a terrorist organization affiliated with the international terrorist group Al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant (designated QDe.137), which operates as the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda (designated QDe.004).
The organization conducts its activities in the Syrian Arab Republic, particularly in the provinces of Hama, Idlib and Ladhiqiyah.
KTJ includes approximately 500 fighters and collaborates with other terrorist groups such as Khatiba Imam al-Bukhari (designated QDe.158) and the Islamic Jihad Group (designated QDe.119). In 2016, the KTJ carried out a terrorist attack on the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek.
How was the Philadelphia teen nabbed?
The teenager, whose identity has not been released, is believed to have had contact with Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, an organization designated by the State Department as a global terrorist organization in 2022.
This al-Qaeda-affiliated group is mostly active in Syria's Idlib Province, but it has also been linked to prior attacks, including a 2017 metro attack in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and a 2016 vehicle bombing outside the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
According to reports, the teenage suspect was given instructions from the terror organization on how to make improvised explosive devices. Before he was arrested, FBI investigators spotted him gathering bomb-making supplies and outdoor/tactical gear.
“The work of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force potentially thwarted a catastrophic terrorist attack in the name of a perverted ideology that in no way, shape, or form represents the beliefs of the overwhelming majority of peace-seeking people of faith, including Muslims,” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Monday, August 14.
"The charges we have filed against this individual represent the most serious alleged terrorist activity prosecuted in Philadelphia County court in recent history. We intend to pursue full accountability for these crimes and will continue to work vigilantly with our law enforcement partners to protect all of our communities from hateful, ideologically driven acts of violence,” he added.
Normally, juvenile cases involving terrorism are not handled by US Attorney's Offices. However, there is a request to try the suspect as an adult, and the charges could be expanded to the Federal level as the investigation proceeds.
The teen faces several charges, including weapons of mass destruction, criminal conspiracy, arson, causing/risking a catastrophe, attempting to commit criminal mischief, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person.
What is FBI saying about thwarting potential terrorist attack?
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire noted that the teenager seemed to be taking action to travel overseas to participate in or support terrorist activities.
“Most concerning, however, was the evidence that he had access to firearms and had purchased items and materials commonly used in the construction of improvised explosive devices,” McGuire said according to NY Post.
The most concerning aspect was the evidence indicating his access to firearms and the acquisition of items commonly used in making improvised explosive devices.
Recent surveillance showed that the suspect purchased tactical equipment, chemicals, cables, and items that could be used as remote detonators. US Customs and Border Protection records also revealed 14 international shipments of military and tactical gear to the teenager's address.
“I think it’s very fair to say that lives were saved because of this investigation,” McGuire added.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a bulletin in 2018, warning that teenagers are particularly susceptible to radicalization by terror groups that often tailor their messages toward young individuals.
“ISIS and al-Qa‘ida continue to influence minors through online messaging to plan and conduct attacks,” the DNI memo states. It further reads, “For example, in October 2018, the al-Abd al-Faqir Media Foundation—a pro-ISIS media outfit—launched its first Arabic-language magazine titled ‘Youth Of The Caliphate,’ aimed at young supporters.”
This bulletin highlighted the persistence of plots and attacks by minors both in the US and internationally. “Few identifiable behaviors that raised suspicion or concern” in many terrorism cases involving minors, underscoring the challenge law enforcement face in identifying juvenile terrorists.
Law enforcement faces challenges in identifying juvenile terrorists due to the limited identifiable behaviors that raise suspicion.
Extremist groups target minors for attacks to influence impressionable supporters and evade security measures that typically monitor suspicious activities by adults.
“Violent extremists’ use or encouragement of minors to conduct attacks probably stems in part from their desire to influence impressionable supporters and circumvent CT security measures that monitor for suspicious activities conducted by adults,” the DNI note states.
