The recent arrests of a father and son in Toronto, accused of planning a mass casualty attack on behalf of ISIS, underscore the enduring influence of the terrorist group. Despite being defeated in Syria five years ago, ISIS continues to inspire acts of violence far from the Middle East.
Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, face six terrorism charges related to their alleged plot. According to court records obtained by Global News, police seized an axe and machete intended for the attack. The father also faces charges for a 2015 aggravated assault outside Canada on behalf of ISIS.
The suspects, both Canadian citizens, were arrested at a hotel in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and appeared in court in Newmarket on Monday. They are set to return to court on August 24. The RCMP Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs stated that the suspects were in the “advanced stages” of planning their attack, but assured the public that there is no remaining threat.
Supt. James Parr, head of the Toronto Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, mentioned that the investigation began in early July and was a collaborative effort involving the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and local police agencies. The specific targets of the planned attack are still being determined.
ISIS has intensified its propaganda efforts recently, translating messages into more languages and spreading them across various platforms. Colin P. Clarke, director of research at the Soufan Group, highlighted that ISIS-K, the group’s branch in South and Central Asia, is leading these efforts as Western nations focus more on other national security priorities.
Low-sophistication attacks have long been a strategy of ISIS, which has encouraged the use of everyday items like knives and vehicles as weapons. Since 2014, Canada has experienced eight attacks linked to ISIS, including incidents at a Toronto Canadian Tire, a Mississauga takeout restaurant, and a Scarborough sidewalk.
The arrests of the Eldidi father and son are a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and the need for continued vigilance and counter-terrorism efforts.
