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Former U.S. Soldier Accused of Plotting ISIS-Inspired Drone Attack on Military Base
A former Michigan Army National Guard member has been arrested after federal prosecutors accused him of trying to help ISIS carry out a mass-casualty attack on a U.S. military base. Investigators say the alleged plot involved drones, explosives, and tactical support before the suspect was taken into custody by the FBI.
Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said is seen in a still from a video included in a federal complaint. Department of Justice
A man once trusted to serve the United States is now accused of plotting an attack against it.
Federal authorities say a former Michigan Army National Guard soldier has been arrested for allegedly supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) and helping plan a deadly assault on a U.S. military installation.
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According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspect was taken into custody on July 8, 2026, following a months-long FBI counterterrorism investigation.
Prosecutors allege he believed he was assisting ISIS operatives in preparing an attack on the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan.
The alleged plan involved using drones equipped with explosives, along with firearms, to inflict mass casualties on military personnel.
Investigators say the suspect went beyond expressing support.
He allegedly provided tactical advice, conducted reconnaissance around the base, trained undercover operatives on drone operations, and discussed ways to maximize the attack's effectiveness.
If you've followed this far, here's the part that actually matters.
The people he believed were ISIS members were actually undercover FBI employees and confidential sources.
Officials say there was never an immediate threat to the public because the operation was closely monitored from the beginning.
On July 8, prosecutors charged the former soldier with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to destructive devices.
If convicted, he could face decades in federal prison.
The case also raises concerns about insider threats.
Military experience can provide specialized knowledge of security procedures, tactics, and infrastructure, making radicalized service members a particular focus for counterterrorism investigators.
The FBI said the investigation demonstrates the importance of long-term intelligence operations in disrupting terrorist plots before they can become reality.
Editor's Note
Most terrorism cases never make headlines because they are stopped long before an attack can occur.
This investigation highlights how undercover operations, intelligence gathering, and cooperation between federal agencies remain key tools in preventing acts of violence before lives are lost.
