HOUSTON – Key recommendations:

• Anas Said was arrested on federal charges of attempted aiding and abetting ISIS and plotting attacks in the US

• Said was involved in creating and spreading ISIS propaganda and managed several social media accounts promoting the group.

• He planned attacks targeting US military personnel and certain Israeli locations, expressing the intention to kill those who support Israel.

• Said’s arrest followed a standoff with FBI agents.

A Texas man has been arrested on federal charges that he attempted to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Propaganda, threats and online activity

The FBI says Anas Said, 28, created and spread ISIS propaganda, including videos and images glorifying the terrorist group’s violent acts.

According to court documents, Said, who lives in Houston, admired the ideology of ISIS and even tried to travel to join the group.

Said managed 11 Facebook accounts in support of ISIS and the violent attacks carried out by the organization.

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It targets the US and Israeli military

The FBI says it planned potential attacks in the United States, targeting Israelis and specific locations.

Court documents showed Said talked about his plans to buy a gun, scout a place in Houston and target members of the U.S. military — determining whether they support Israel or have served in places like Afghanistan or Iraq.

If their answer was “yes,” he said he would kill them.

Plot against local Jewish organizations

Said is also accused of investigating a Houston-area Jewish organization that supports Israel. His original plan was to put up a flyer to get them to stop, but if that didn’t work, he considered posing as a donor to meet with the head of the organization and, if necessary, bully them.

He researched other Jewish sites, such as synagogues and the Israeli consulate, to understand their configuration and security measures.

History of FBI interactions

Said found himself on the FBI’s radar when he bought two stickers in 2017 with ISIS-related images. He admitted to supporting the group and consuming extremist content while being interviewed by the FBI. However, he maintained that he no longer held those views.

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Online extremism continues despite the FBI’s advance warning

In 2023, authorities discovered that Said continued to engage in pro-ISIS activities online, including creating and sharing extremist content on encrypted messaging platforms within the week of his arrest.

He also made contact with other ISIS supporters, including a key figure known as “The Designer”.

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“Fit of Rage” Arrest.

Said’s arrest came after a tense meeting with FBI agents. During the operation, agents approached Said and his brother in an apartment complex parking lot. His brother complied when the agents asked them to come down. Said resisted and proceeded to throw his phone and later smash it to the ground in a fit of rage. He tried to run, but officers were able to arrest him before he could escape.

Interviews after his arrest revealed his deep-seated commitment to ISIS and willingness to be violent.

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“Right now, we are focusing on the charges in the indictment, charges that revolve around providing material support to a terrorist organization by producing only videos and propaganda for ISIS,” said Said’s lawyer, Baldemar Zuniga. “Despite allegations that my client made statements to government agents regarding proposed acts of terrorism, the indictment does not currently allege any planning or acts of terrorism. This appears to be a lengthy investigation and it will take some time to review all the evidence.”

Anas Said is currently in custody and, if convicted, faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible maximum fine of $250,000.