In a significant operation, the FBI has apprehended three individuals in Kansas and California, accused of conspiring to support the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a recognized foreign terrorist organization. The arrests took place on Friday and were announced by the Department of Justice.
The individuals, identified as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, from Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, from Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, from Lakeside, California, were detained following the filing of a complaint in the District of Kansas. Authorities allege that the trio conspired to aid terrorism by collectively providing over $2,000 to someone they believed was affiliated with ISIS.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the case, stating that the suspects had allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, devised multiple attack plans, and specifically targeted U.S. military personnel.
“The FBI effectively thwarted their plans,” Patel remarked. “This operation underscores our agency’s unwavering commitment to preventing terrorist acts before they occur, which remains the most effective defense for our homeland. Our teams in Kansas City, San Diego, Sacramento, Newark, Richmond, and the Counterterrorism Division deserve commendation for their exemplary work and dedication to protecting Americans from those who intend harm.”
The arrests were the culmination of a multi-state investigation connected to ISIS, as acknowledged by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Authorities revealed that between February 2025 and June 2026, the suspects engaged in discussions about supporting ISIS through various means, including the provision of personnel, services, and financial resources.
Through Discord chats, voice calls and other messaging platforms, they allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, according to the complaint. They are also accused of exchanging messages in social media groups promoting violence in furtherance of ISIS.
Ghafoor allegedly said it would be “sick” if his name could be written on the drone used in an attack on Americans, while Dzayee allegedly suggested that targets of drones should include U.S. Special Forces, according to the DOJ.
FILE – The suspects are accused of targeting U.S. military service members, according to the Department of Justice. (Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
In other exchanges, court documents note Shamsaldeen “expressed a desire” to stab and injure a U.S. service member, and Ghafoor confessed to having always wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading, adding, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.”
Officials said Ghafoor’s name was written on a projectile of a rocket-propelled grenade which terrorists were planning to use in an overseas attack to kill U.S. service members.
KASH PATEL DELIVERS FIERY WARNING AFTER FBI DISRUPTS MASS SHOOTING TERROR PLOT TARGETING MILITARY
Shamsaldeen allegedly provided financial resources for the purpose of purchasing drones to attack and kill U.S. service members deployed overseas, according to the complaint.
The DOJ claimed the suspects, along with others, also communicated their desires to travel outside the U.S. to fight on behalf of ISIS.
In some of the communications, officials said they expressed a willingness to die on behalf of ISIS.
FILE – The suspects are accused of having pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, according to DOJ officials. (Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a statement. “Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks — anywhere. Thanks to the vigilance of the FBI, their alleged scheme was dismantled and further acts of violence against U.S. service members were prevented.”
U.S. Attorney Ryan Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas added that for years, the DOJ has been encouraging Americans that if they see suspicious activity, they should report it to law enforcement.
“That’s because long gone are the days where terrorist threats and attacks are incidents that only take place far away on foreign soil,” Kriegshauser said. “Unfortunately, we must face the reality of bad actors living within our borders clandestinely conspiring on ways to create fear and havoc. The only way to root out and prevent terrorism plots is through collaboration among all levels of law enforcement and across jurisdictions. Collaboration is which is what facilitated the arrests of these three suspects.”
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in the Kansas City, San Diego and Sacramento field offices investigated the cases, with assistance from FBI field offices in Richmond and Newark.
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