Four members of an alleged radical pro-Palestinian group have been arrested, accused of plotting New Year’s Eve bombings in Los Angeles, the FBI announced on Monday, Dec. 15.
The suspects are accused of being members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an alleged extremist group motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology, FBI Director Kash Patel posted in the announcement on social media.
According to Patel, the group was allegedly planning coordinated IED bombing attacks on New Year’s Eve, targeting five separate locations across Los Angeles.
A fifth person was arrested by the FBI in New Orleans, Patel said, for allegedly “planning a separate violent attack.” That suspect, the director said, is also believed to be linked to TILF.
Officials have not yet identified the suspects.
‘A credible, imminent terrorist threat’
In his post, Patel said the FBI disrupted a “credible, imminent terrorist attack” and praised investigators and law enforcement partners.
“Their work undoubtedly saved countless lives,” Patel wrote.
Law enforcement investigation “prevented what would have been a massive and horrific plot in the Central District of California,” United States Attorney General Pam Bondi released in a statement Monday morning.
A planned “series of bombings” by the suspects included “multiple targets in California ”on New Year’s Eve, Bondi said. The group was also allegedly going to target U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles.
A press conference is set for later on Monday during which Patel said officials will share additional details about the case.
This is a developing story.