WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A high-level al-Qaeda operative of Yemeni descent has admitted to conspiring to kill US citizens overseas and to provide material support to the terrorist group, the US Department of Justice said in a press release.
“Earlier today, Saddiq al-Abbadi, 40, a Yemeni national, pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder US nationals abroad, providing and conspiring to provide material support to al-Qaeda and using a machine gun in furtherance of those crimes,” the release read on Tuesday.
Al-Abbadi had ties with al-Qaeda’s senior leadership in Pakistan and Yemen, acting US Attorney Kelly T. Currie explained.
He tried to entice US soldiers into a compound in Afghanistan filled with explosives as well as help recruit a US citizen to join al-Qaeda, according to the release.
According to court filings, al-Abbadi traveled from Yemen to Iraq where he fought alongside al-Qaeda factions against US troops stationed in Iraq from 2005 till 2007. In 2008, he fought as part of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
US officials have vowed their commitment to bring justice to people who would try to harm US troops or assist al-Qaeda.
If convicted, al-Abbadi could face a sentence of up to a life in prison.
