On Monday, December 15, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that over the weekend, they had thwarted a credible terrorist threat by arresting four members of a Palestinian extremist organization who were planning a series of explosions in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve.
The FBI stated that these individuals identified themselves as members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), a radical faction associated with Palestinian, anti-law enforcement, and anti-government views.
According to the FBI, the organization was allegedly planning to use improvised explosive devices on New Year’s Eve to carry out a coordinated bombing spree at five different locations in Los Angeles.
The agency reported that the four suspects were apprehended in Lucerne Valley, California, where they were believed to be testing explosive devices. They are facing charges of conspiracy and possession of explosive devices.
A fifth suspect was arrested in New Orleans, also affiliated with the TILF extremist group, and was reportedly plotting another attack.
An Instagram account allegedly linked to TILF claims its branch is based in Los Angeles, aiming to liberate “Turtle Island” (referring to North America by Indigenous peoples) from the “illegal American empire”.
The account posted: “Liberate Palestine. Liberate Hawaii. Liberate Puerto Rico. Freeing the world from American imperialism is the only way to a secure and peaceful future.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media, acknowledging the collaborative efforts between the Department of Justice and the FBI in thwarting the terrorist conspiracy.
She mentioned that TILF also planned to target agents and vehicles of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“This is a significant effort by our U.S. prosecutors and the FBI to ensure that the American people can live in peace,” Bondi wrote.
“We will continue to pursue these terrorist organizations and bring them to justice,” she added.
FBI Director Kash Patel commended the law enforcement officers for their actions and announced that there would be a press conference later on Monday.