There’s a possibility that Islamic terrorism is making a comeback in the United States, partially influenced by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security recently released a report indicating that over 50 jihadist incidents took place across 30 states from April 2021 to June 2025. This includes incidents like vehicle ramming attacks and attempts to aid ISIS.
For instance, last year kicked off with a tragic shooting in New Orleans where 14 Americans were killed by Shamsud Din Jabbar, an extremist who had reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, as revealed by the FBI.
The persistent threat from those aligned with Islamist ideology doesn’t seem to be diminishing. If the attacks and attempted attacks seen this month are any indication, it might actually be growing.
New York
On March 7, two Pennsylvania residents, Emir Barat and Ibrahim Qayumi, were arrested for allegedly having links to Islamic extremists. They were caught after two homemade explosive devices went off near anti-Muslim protesters outside Gracie Mansion in New York City.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the event as “an act of terrorism, allegedly motivated by ISIS, that could have resulted in the deaths of American citizens.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commented, “These individuals allegedly aimed to cause mass casualties for the sake of ISIS, possibly trying to outdo the devastation of the Boston Marathon bombings.”
According to the criminal complaint, an FBI explosives test showed each device was roughly the size of a mason jar, fitted with fuses, and surrounded by nuts, bolts, and duct tape.
The first device was found to contain TATP, a highly unstable explosive known for being sensitive to shock and heat. It’s been used in various terrorist incidents over the last decade, according to a press release from the Justice Department.
After his arrest, Barat told officials, “This isn’t just a religion where we simply speak of the blessed name of the Prophet. We will take action!” When taken to the police station, he asked for paper and wrote, “All praise is to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! I pledge allegiance to the Islamic State. Die in anger, Kuffar!”
The term “Kuffar,” or “Kafir,” is a derogatory Arabic label for non-Muslims, reminiscent of terms like “heathen,” used by extremists, including Pakistani doctor Muhammad Masood, who attempted to provide support to ISIS while working at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York.
Virginia
Meanwhile, an American who had previously fired on ROTC students at Old Dominion University in Virginia in 2016 pleaded guilty last Thursday for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
He tragically killed Mohamed Bayler Jallow before being subdued by brave students. Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a professor at the university, noted that the shooter had referenced a massacre similar to the Fort Hood shooting when discussing his actions.
An FBI agent revealed that the gunman had shouted “Allah Akbar” before committing his attack.
Michigan
On March 12, a Lebanese man drove into Temple Israel, a synagogue in the Detroit area, which houses a kindergarten and a religious school. The suspect, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, reportedly took his own life after being confronted by security personnel, but it appears he had connections to Islamic extremists.
Authorities mentioned that Ghazali, who became a U.S. citizen in February 2016, lost family members in recent Israeli actions in Lebanon.
His brother, Ibrahim Ghazali, was allegedly a commander in Hezbollah responsible for launching attacks against Israeli civilians.
Hassan Qazwini, with the Islamic Society of America, mentioned that Ghazali had attended a service at their center for the first time just earlier this month.
Dearborn has a troubled history, having harbored numerous Islamic extremists over the years.
In a case from October 2025, the FBI arrested two residents from Dearborn, Mohomed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, for allegedly planning a terrorist act for ISIS. Another suspect, Ayoub Nasser, was charged in relation to this conspiracy.
The three men face serious charges including conspiring to provide support to ISIS and possessing firearms for potential acts of terrorism. They had reportedly scouted locations in nearby Ferndale for possible targets.
Texas
On March 1, an armed suspect assaulted patrons outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin. Ndiaga Diagne, 53, injured two people and wounded 14 others.
Diagne fired from his vehicle and then targeted pedestrians with a rifle. Law enforcement responders managed to capture him quickly.
The FBI noted that the suspect and his vehicle showed signs indicative of a potential terrorism link. Diagne was found wearing a shirt with the Iranian flag and another that read “Property of Allah.” A Quran was also discovered in his vehicle.
He immigrated to the U.S. from Senegal in 2000 and became a naturalized citizen in 2013. Interestingly, over 97% of Senegal’s population identifies as Muslim.
Earlier in March, there was another alarming incident involving a 39-year-old from Iraq, Kyle Nazim Chris. He entered Zwink Elementary School in Texas armed with a gun and a Taser, wearing military gear.
The school staff called for armed security when he refused to identify himself. Chris left without further trouble but was arrested later for being a felon in possession of a weapon.
Local residents speculated he might be a military veteran and that there might have been some sort of misunderstanding.
Europe
Recent days have seen multiple possible Islamist attacks in other Western nations as well.
An IED was discovered outside the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, on March 8. Notably, there were no injuries, but some damage was reported.
Three brothers, all Norwegian citizens in their twenties with Iraqi ties, were arrested in connection with the bombing, and their mother was also detained for alleged involvement.
Oslo police stated they consider the bombing a potential act of terrorism, possibly linked to Middle Eastern conflicts.
The following day, an explosion occurred outside a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, though no injuries were reported. A group claiming to be the “Right Fellow Islamic Movement” took responsibility for that incident.
French law enforcement thwarted a plot by two suspects from Morocco and Italy who were suspected of planning a deadly attack. They were reportedly in possession of a semi-automatic weapon, hydrochloric acid, and an ISIS flag.
