Police say three men have been arrested over an alleged Daesh group-inspired plot to attack several Sydney targets, including police and defense buildings, courts, churches and diplomatic missions.
Of the suspects arrested was, Isaac El Matari, a 20-year-old man who was discovered to be planning attacks in Sidney as well as travel to Afghanistan to fight with the group. Currently, the ISIS branch in Afghanistan is believed to the most active province with intelligence indicating some key leaders from Syria and Iraq sought refuge there. The two other suspects, a 23-year-old man, and a 30-year-old man could face sentences of up to 10 years in prison.
While the plot was in its early stages, Matari had discussions about importing firearms and explosives to carry out the attack but hadn’t selected a specific target or time. The arrests were made primarily because Matari was in the deradicalization program since his return from Lebanon and as such was on constant surveillance.
