Enemy on the inside: Terrorists plan attack for American Independence Day

Suspects have been been collecting bomb-making materials similar to those used in the Boston marathon bombing two years ago.

By HAIM ISROVITCH/MAARIV ONLINE
United States Capitol building in Washington, DC. (photo credit: REUTERS)
United States Capitol building in Washington, DC.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
US law enforcement agencies are on high alert. Next week on July 4th Americans will celebrate the 239th national Independence Day. The fear is that local ISIS activists will try an turn a day of celebration into a day of bloodshed in the name of the organization.
A wave of arrests that took place in New York this month only strengthened the expectations that there are grounds for concern. Two weeks ago on Saturday police forces arrested Munther Omar Saleh, a twenty-year-old student of Aeronautics who ran a Twitter account that supported ISIS. Saleh is suspected of being involved in plans for a series of attacks likely to be carried out during the annual July 4 celebrations in New York City. He had been collecting bomb-making materials similar to those used in the Boston marathon bombing two years ago.
During Saleh's interrogation he admitted to being in contact with ​Fareed Mumuni, age 21, a resident of Staten Island. Together they planned the attack. According to the indictment, Saleh instructed Mumuni on how to detonate the explosives and how to run over the police who would arrive at the scene, stealing their weapons to open fire on the crowd and kill more people.
Last Wednesday morning, federal agents arrived at Mumuni's home to perform a search. The suspect confronted the officers and attempted to stab one of the agents but did not succeed in penetrating his bullet proof vest. Mumuni was arrested for attempted murder and for assisting a terrorist organization. He admitted to his involvement with ISIS and having purchased the knife in hopes of using it against law enforcement officials.
FBI officials made it clear that more arrests may be necessary to thwart potential terrorist attacks intended to ruin Independence Day celebrations.