Three United States citizens were arrested on June 5, 2026, by federal authorities for allegedly helping fund ISIS attacks on American servicemembers. The Department of Justice reported that the individuals, 21-year-old Bisaam Ghafoor from Leawood, Kansas, 21-year-old Elias Shamsaldeen from Porterville, California, and 25-year-old Bereen Dzayee from Lakeside, California, conspired to support the terrorist group from February 2025 to June 2026.
The men reportedly communicated through various messaging platforms, pledging allegiance to ISIS and discussing violence against Americans and U.S. military personnel. Prosecutors noted that Ghafoor expressed a desire to have his name associated with a drone used in an attack, while Dzayee suggested targeting U.S. Special Forces. Shamsaldeen showed interest in attacking a U.S. servicemember, and Ghafoor made statements about wanting to kill a large number of Americans.
Federal authorities allege that the suspects provided over $2,000 to an individual they believed to be an ISIS member and attempted to create a cryptocurrency scheme to purchase weapons for the group. Ghafoor's name was reportedly found on a grenade intended for an attack against U.S. servicemembers, and Shamsaldeen was accused of financing drone purchases for similar purposes.
The defendants were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the administration's commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, while FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the agency's success in preventing potential attacks. The investigation involved multiple FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces across various locations.
