An Afghan national living in Oklahoma, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, was charged with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack on Election Day on behalf of the Islamic State terrorist group. Tawhedi, 27, was arrested for conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, as well as trying to acquire firearms and ammunition for a violent attack in the U.S. He planned the attack for November 5 and intended to target large gatherings, expecting to die as a martyr alongside a juvenile co-conspirator. He made efforts to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle family members in Afghanistan, and obtain AK-47 rifles and ammunition. Court documents revealed that he viewed and saved ISIS propaganda and searched for information on accessing Washington D.C. cameras and gun laws.
Tawhedi’s arrest raises concerns about potential political violence surrounding the election, with President Joe Biden expressing confidence in the election’s fairness, but uncertainty about its peacefulness. The U.S. continues to combat the threat posed by ISIS domestically and abroad, with recent arrests of individuals with potential links to the terrorist group. In August, a U.S. military operation in Iraq killed 15 ISIS fighters, including leadership members. The terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a significant number of attacks in Iraq and Syria, indicating an ongoing threat. Tawhedi’s case highlights the persistent challenge posed by individuals seeking to carry out violent acts in support of extremist ideologies.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com