Two Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-inspired women were arrested in New York City for allegedly trying to build and use a bomb in a terror attack on the U.S.
Federal authorities arrested the women — Noelle Velentzas and Asia Siddiqui — Thursday after a lengthy undercover FBI operation.
Though the public was never in danger and it was not clear how far along they were in their plan, the two women were allegedly looking to build an improved explosive device and use it somewhere in the United States.
The two women, both from Queens, will appear in federal court Thursday to be charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in the U.S., the Justice Department said in a statement. The two had been plotting to execute the terror attack — in which they wanted to “make history” — since at least August 2014.
Authorities believe their shift toward violence was sparked by Islamic State propaganda and their alleged online activities. Both women had declared themselves “citizens of the Islamic State.”
If convicted, both could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“The arrests of two women in New York accused of plotting to carry out bombings remind us that the threat of terrorism inside the United States endures. We must remain vigilant against these types of attacks and place a high priority on tracking and interdicting such plots,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, vice chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
“I am particularly struck that the alleged bombers made use of online bombmaking guides like the Anarchist Cookbook and Inspire Magazine. These documents are not, in my view, protected by the First Amendment and should be removed from the Internet.”
Over the past 18 months, roughly 30 people have been charged with joining or attempting to join terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria.
Last week, two cousins — one a member of the Illinois national guard — were arrested in Chicago for allegedly trying to commit terror acts against the U.S. and join the Islamic State overseas. Two weeks ago, a U.S. Air Force veteran was indicted on federal charges of attempting to join the Islamic State.
Three New York City men were also arrested in New York City last month on allegations of conspiring to join the Islamic State while expressing an intent to carry out terror attacks in the U.S.
• This story was first published at 12:30 p.m. and has been updated.
