1

TERROR GONE VIRAL: 

OVERVIEW OF THE 243 ISIS-LINKED INCIDENTS 

TARGETING THE WEST

October 2018

HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE MAJORITY STAFF REPORT

2014 - 2018

Version 2.0
2

TERROR GONE VIRAL 2018

Background

The House Homeland Security Committee has been tracking terrorist activity linked to 

the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) since the group’s formation. This report was 

produced by the Committee’s Majority Staff and is intended to capture the scope of ISIS 

external operations against Western countries, including the United States, as well as 

other terrorist incidents inspired by the group. It provides a high-level examination of 

ISIS-linked plots and attacks targeting Western countries along with a summary of each 

incident. At the end of July, ISIS has been tied to at least 243 terrorist plots or attacks 

against the West since 2014.1

Note on Methodology

This report is based on open-source data. This includes information from press articles, 

publicly available government documents, reports from non-governmental organizations, 

and related materials. For the purposes of this analysis, key terms are used as follows: 

“ISIS-linked” refers to incidents involving a suspect or suspects who were members of 

or connected to ISIS through direct communication, pledges of allegiance, or ideological 

inspiration; “plots” refers to schemes, either executed or disrupted, by an individual or 

group to commit violent terrorist acts; and the “West” is used at the time of this writing 

in reference to countries located in Europe and North America, as well as Australia, or 

targets affiliated with the same outside of the conflict zone in Syria and Iraq. 

1 Terror Gone Viral Reports, Committee on Homeland Security, Feb. 2014 - July 2018
3

Notable Quotes

“The smallest action you do in their heartland is better and more enduring to us than 

what you would if you were with us. If one of you hoped to reach the Islamic State, we 

wish we were in your place to punish the Crusaders day and night.” 

- Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, May 2016, ISIS Audio Recording

 “There are no boundaries. Now they are crowdsourcing terror over the Internet, and 

they can plot against the United States from anywhere in the world with a smartphone.” 

- Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, June 2018, Capitol Hill National 

Security Forum

“ISIS shows 7th Century barbarism and at the same time sophisticated cyber usage.”

- Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, July 2018, Aspen National Security 

Forum

“[ISIS has found strategic success with] the group’s innovative use of online propaganda 

and social media platforms to recruit, radicalize, and mobilize individuals to violence. No 

longer is the creation of new terrorists primarily dependent on physical or face-to-face 

contact between a prospective recruit and a terrorist recruiter, nor do new recruits require extensive training or guidance, given ISIS’s emphasis on encouraging its followers 

to conduct attacks in their home countries using simple tactics and easily accessible 

weapons.”

- LTG Michael Nagata, Director of Strategic Operational Planning, National 

Counterterrorism Center, July 2018, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

“With the widespread use of social media, terrorists can spot, assess, recruit, and radicalize vulnerable persons of all ages in the United States either to travel or to conduct 

a homeland attack. Through the Internet, terrorists overseas now have access into our 

local communities to target and recruit our citizens and spread the message of radicalization to violence faster than we imagined just a few years ago.”

- FBI Director Christopher Wray, May 2018, testifying before the U.S. Senate
4
5

KEY FINDINGS

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, after a year of silence and 

widespread reports regarding his death, reemerged in late August 2018 to exhort his followers to 

continue attacking Westerners, using whatever means available, in their homelands.

In the nearly hour-long audio recording titled “Give Glad Tidings to the Patient,” released to 

coincide with the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, Baghdadi not only offered definitive proof he is still 

alive—citing recent tensions between the United States and Turkey—he downplayed ISIS’ territorial losses and emphasized the importance of homeland attacks in the West to the overall strategy and long-term success of ISIS.

 

“We bless those who are in the countries of the Crusaders, in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere,” 

Baghdadi said, according to a transcript from the extremist monitoring group SITE. “What they 

have done to support their brothers, may Allah reward them, the supporters of the Caliphate 

should follow in their path, and trust in Allah, and carry out an attack that breaks their heart, and 

rip them apart, either with gunfire, or a stab to their bodies, or a bombing in their countries, for 

this is equal to a thousand operations here.” 

Baghdadi would go on to say, “Do not forget about running people over on the roads. Ignite your 

fight, so that Crusaders will feel its flames.”

Perhaps it is just an unsettling coincidence, but the last successful ISIS attack to kill innocent 

Americans was a vehicle ramming attack in the country of Tajikistan that left four people dead, 

including two Americans. Two days after the attack, in which the assailants also stabbed the 

victims, ISIS’ official Amaq News Agency released a video showing five Tajikistanis it identified as 

the perpetrators sitting in front of an Islamic State flag and pledging their allegiance to Baghdadi.

ISIS Able to Project Terror Despite Territorial Losses

Besides being the latest ISIS attack to result in American deaths, the attack in Tajikistan 

was the first known instance of terrorists targeting Westerners in the country. It is significant because it shows despite ISIS’ significant territorial losses, it is still able to find ways 

to ways to attract new followers and inspire or direct them to attack in new places. 

Since the summer of 2014, when the Islamic State declared its self-proclaimed caliphate and Baghdadi appeared at the al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, Iraq to declare himself the 

“Caliph Ibrahim,” ISIS has lost nearly 98 percent of the territory it controlled in Iraq and 

Syria, according to Brett McGurk, the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition 

to Defeat ISIS.1 Most of these losses have occurred over the last two years, but despite its 

setbacks, ISIS and its adherents have been linked to 142 incidents—arrests, plots and 

attacks—targeting Westerners or the West over the last two years. 

2 Brett McGurk, Special Briefing Transcript, U.S. Department of State, Dec. 2017
6

That compares to 101 ISIS-linked incidents reported in House Homeland’s “Terror Gone 

Viral” report released in 2016. Cumulatively, over the 2014 to 2018 period covered by 

the Terror Gone Viral reports, ISIS has been linked to 243 incidences, averaging five 

terrorist incidents per month.2

The Physical Caliphate Becomes Virtual

Much has been made of ISIS’ messaging and online propaganda ability. Many observers 

attribute these two key efforts with ISIS’ continued success despite its near military defeat on the battlefield. The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point recently released 

an analysis that examined the complex structure of ISIS’ propaganda operation. The 

analysis, based on captured ISIS documents, revealed that ISIS runs a “highly choreographed influence campaign in which the group invested significant institutional effort.”3

 

ISIS uses this “choreographed campaign” to drive home key themes such as despite the 

collapse of its proclaimed caliphate, ISIS itself will “endure.” In the latest Baghdadi audio 

recording, he exhorts his followers that “The scale of victory or defeat with the mujahideen, the people of faith and piety, is not tied to a city or a village that was taken,” before 

noting at the end of his statement, “As for you O supporters of the Caliphate everywhere, 

in the media and the fields, we give you tidings that the State is in the best of shape, because it wishes what is with Allah, and what is with Allah is better and more enduring.”4

New York Times correspondent Rukimi Callimachi, who has reported extensively from territory once held by ISIS, described finding the word “baqyia,” which translates as “remaining or enduring,” scrawled across billboards and buildings in cities formerly controlled 

by the group. Laying out the significance of “endurance” to the ISIS narrative, she noted 

ISIS has used baqiya as a slogan dating back to its affiliation with al-Qaeda.5

The attack by 29-year-old Uzbek national Sayfullo Saipov, who drove a rental truck down 

a New York City bike path October 31, 2017, takes on all-the-more significance in this context . Papers found in his possession at the scene proclaimed in Arabic that there is, “No 

God but God and Muhammad is his Prophet,” and “Islamic Supplication. It will endure,” 

according to the FBI’s criminal complaint. The agent who wrote the complaint noted that 

based on her training and experience, she knew the expression, “It will endure,” referred 

to ISIS.6 

3 Terror Gone Viral Reports, Committee on Homeland Security, Feb. 2014 - July 2018

4 Dr. Daniel Milton, “Pulling Back the Curtain,” Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, Aug. 2018

5 SITE Intelligence Group translation, “Give Glad Tidings to the Patient,” Aug. 2018

6 Rukmini Callimachi, “What New York Attack Suspect’s Words May Say about ISIS Ties,” New York Times, Nov. 2017

7 U.S. v. Sayfullo Saipov, FBI Criminal Complaint, Nov. 2017
7

A Source of Inspiration

In the complaint, the FBI agent also pointed to a potential source of inspiration for 

Saipov’s attack—the ISIS online propaganda magazine Rumiyah. The November 2016 

edition of the magazine featured an article on using a vehicle as a primary weapon of attack before using a knife or gun as secondary means. In Dabiq, a forerunner to Rumiyah, 

ISIS also praised the July 14, 2016 truck-ramming attack in Nice, France that left 86 dead 

and 434 wounded, hailing the “‘brother’ who answered ‘the Islamic State’s calls to target 

nations participating in the Crusader coalition fighting the Caliphate.’”7

Going back as far as 2014, ISIS’ then top spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani implored 

would-be attackers to use vehicles in attacks. In an audio recording he stated, “If you are 

not able to find an IED or a bullet, then single out the disbelieving American, Frenchman 

or any of their allies. Smash his head with a rock or slaughter him with a knife or run him 

over with your car or throw him down from a high place or choke him or poison him.”8

Inspiring followers to carry-out attacks in the name of ISIS, and providing them with a 

“self-help guide” on how to do it, is a major goal of the terror group’s media effort. In 

2016, the committee’s first “Terror Gone Viral” report found 53 percent of ISIS-linked 

attacks were inspired by the group as opposed to directed. Over the last two years, 

the number of ISIS-inspired attacks has gone-up to 63 percent, which shows that ISIS 

is making up for its declining ability to direct attacks with an increased ability to inspire 

others to attack in its name. Only 19 percent of incidents reviewed by the committee 

over the last two years could be determined to be directed by ISIS, with the remaining 18 

percent being unclear on direction or inspiration.

Matin Azizi-Yarand, a 17-year-old from Plano was arrested at his high school May 2, 2018 

by Texas law enforcement officials for an ISIS-inspired plot to attack the Stonebriar Centre Mall in Frisco, Texas. He had surveilled the mall and spent at least $1400 for the 

purchase of body armor and weapons to execute his attack. He also told an undercover 

informant of his desire to “make a cop surrender and drop his gun//Then douse him with 

gasoline and burn him//record it,” according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant filed in 

the case.9

The teenager, who decided to target the mall after giving up on plans to travel to Pakistan 

so he could cross the border to join ISIS in Afghanistan, was inspired to carry out an attack by ISIS propaganda he had read online. He also was using online reference guides 

produced by ISIS to help plot his attack.10

8 Ibid

9 SITE Intelligence Group translation, “Indeed, Your Lord is Ever Watchful,” Sept. 2014

10 Affidavit for Arrest Warrant in The Name And By the Authority of The State of Texas, March 2018

11 Ibid
8

Whither the Children

Yarand was one of 22 teenagers or younger who were linked to ISIS incidents reviewed 

by the committee over the last two years. Like Yarand, Houston teenager Kaan Sercan 

Damlarkaya also hoped to travel overseas to join ISIS. Having heard of the announcement of the “khalifa,” he made his first attempt to travel and join the group at the age of 

15, a few shorts months after Baghdadi’s 2014 declaration. Having failed, he tried again 

at the age of 16, but that attempt was thwarted when a friend he solicited to go with him 

told his parents who in turn Damlarkaya believed informed the FBI, according to the criminal complaint.11

In December 2017, after an FBI investigation, a Houston grand jury returned a five-count 

indictment against Damlarkaya for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and for 

unlawful distribution of explosives information about Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), often 

referred to as the “mother of Satan.” Damlarkaya was 18.12

ISIS’ incitement does not stop with teenagers, it also extends to preteens as well. In 

2016, German authorities arrested a 12-year-old boy who attempted a nail bomb attack 

at a Christmas market in the southern German city of Ludwigshafen that November. The 

same boy also made an unsuccessful attempt to bomb Ludwigshafen’s city hall using a 

backpack bomb in December 2016. The boy, born in Germany to Iraqi parents, was in 

contact with an Islamic State supporter and was given instructions using an encrypted 

messaging app. Because of his age, he could not be held criminally responsible for his 

attempted bombing under German law.13

An Austrian teenager, however, was held responsible for his role in directing the wouldbe 12-year-old ISIS bomber. Lorenz K, was sentenced to nine years in prison in April 2018 

after being found guilty for inciting the German 12-year-old to carry out his attacks. Lorenz, who was only 17 at the time he downloaded bombmaking instructions and forwarded them to the 12-year-old via WhatsApp, filmed himself pledging an oath of allegiance 

to ISIS in 2016. Lorenz, who was born in Austria to Albanian immigrant parents, also was 

convicted for plotting to attack U.S. service members at Ramstein Air Base in Germany 

with a 16-year old girl.1415

12 U.S. v. Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, FBI Criminal Complaint, Dec. 2017

13 Ibid

14 Lizzie Dearden, “Isis Directs 12-year-old Boy to Attempt Bombing of German Christmas Market,” The Independent, Dec. 

2016

15 Associated Press, “Austrian Man Convicted for Plans to Attack German Sites,” U.S. News & World Report, April 2018

16 The Local de, “Austrian Teen Charged with plotting Christmas Market Attack with German Boy,” Jan. 2018
9

ISIS Exploitation of Vulnerable Pathways

The committee previously identified refugee flows as a pathway for ISIS to find supporters and infiltrate plotters into the West. That continued to be the case over the last twoyears, with 14 ISIS-connected plots and attacks reviewed by the committee involving 

refugee and asylum seekers.

The most notorious case of ISIS using refugee flows to move fighters involves the November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. Attackers Ahmad al-Mohammed and M al-Mahod, 

who were part of the group that attacked the Stade de France, entered Europe via the 

Greek Island of Leros. From there, it is reported they bought ferry tickets to continue their 

journey through Europe with Syrian refugees.16 Though most of the attackers were born 

in Europe, they fought for ISIS in Syria, and they may have been using the Syrian refugee 

flows to mask their movements and identities, which were known to European security 

services.17

Further, Hungarian security officials believe the ISIS cell built a “logistics hub” there in the 

summer of 2015 and began moving Syrian trained fighters into Europe using the “Balkans 

route” through eastern Europe. Hungary’s deputy chief for counterterrorism revealed the 

mastermind of the Paris attack, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, sent a scout to map-out the route, 

a discovery they made reviewing the attackers cell phones.18

Recently, at least one alleged member of ISIS attempted to hide in the United States as a 

fugitive from justice. Though it came after the time covered by this report, the late August arrest of Omar Ameen, shows the importance of thorough vetting for refugees that 

come into the United States. 

Ameen, a 45-year-old Iraqi refugee and alleged ISIS killer, is charged with the June 2014 

murder of a police officer in Iraq, which is seeking his extradition. Ameen allegedly went 

to the police officer’s home as a member of an ISIS convoy and shot the victim as he was 

on the ground. ISIS later announced the officer’s murder on social media. Ameen fled 

Iraq and eventually settled with family in Sacramento as a refugee. Ameen hid his membership in Al-Qaeda in Iraq and ISIS when he originally applied for refugee status, and 

later when he applied to become a green card holder, according to the Department of 

Justice.1920 Ameen remains in custody in California as a flight risk and danger to the community, according to the Sacramento Bee.21

17 British Broadcasting Channel, “Paris Attacks: Who Were the Attackers?” BBC News, April 2016

18 James Rothwell, “Majority of Paris Attackers Used Migration Routes to Enter Europe, Rreveals Hungarian Counter-Terror

Chief,” The Telegraph, Oct. 2016

19 Ibid

20 In the Matter of the Extradition of Omar Abdulsattar Ameen to the Republic of Iraq, DOJ Criminal Complaint, Aug. 2018

21 “Iraqi National Wanted for Murder in Iraq Arrested in California,” DOJ Press Release, Aug. 2018

22 Sam Stanton and Darrell Smith, “Iraqi ISIS suspect ordered to remain in Sacramento Jail,” The Sacramento Bee, Aug. 2018
10

Conclusion

House Homeland’s Terror Gone Viral Reports have sought to provide a centralized repository to catalogue the ongoing ISIS threat to the West. The findings show that despite 

ISIS’ battlefield losses, the group remains a potent threat in large part due to the viral success of its online propaganda and “how to” efforts. What follows are short summaries of 

the 243 ISIS-linked incidents reviewed by the committee from 2014 to 2018. 
11

Summary: ISIS-Linked Targeting the West

July 29, 2018 Tajikistan Two American cyclists, a Dutch cyclist and a Swiss cyclist were killed by 

members of the Islamic State.

July 24, 2018 Germany A 42-year-old woman was arrested for plotting to carry out an attack 

with Ricin on behalf of ISIS. Her husband was arrested previously in 

connection with the planned attack.

July 22, 2018 Canada Faisal Hussain killed two people and wounded 13 using a semiautomatic pistol in Toronto’s east-end Greektown neighborhood. 

June 19, 2018 Netherlands Three Dutch men were arrested on suspicion of being members of ISIS. 

Their DNA was found on guns in Paris linked to ISIS.

June 19, 2018 France The French government froze the assets of a Swiss imam, who was 

previously expelled from France in 2017.

June 18, 2018 Australia A 26-year-old man was arrested for planning to travel to a foreign conflict zone to engage in terrorist acts.

June 13, 2018 England A 29-year-old West Yorkshire man was arrested for “arranging money to 

another person knowing it may be used for terrorism.”

June 13, 2018 Germany A 29-year-old Tunisian man living in Germany was arrested for producing biological weapons.

June 13, 2018 USA A 45-year-old woman was arrested in Wisconsin and charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS – including attack guidance 

and informational support.

May 29, 2018 Belgium A 31-year-old man killed two police officers and a nearby man as well as 

wounded 4 in an attack claimed by ISIS.

May 24, 2018 Syria A senior ISIS commander and French citizen involved in the Paris and 

Nice attacks was arrested in Syria. 

May 23, 2018 USA An Indiana man is arrested for attempted material support of ISIS.

May 18, 2018 France An Egyptian man suspected of plotting an attack in Paris was arrested 

by French authorities.

May 12, 2018 France A 20-year-old French national born in Chechnya kills one and wounds 

three in a knife attack. The man pledged allegiance to ISIS in a video he 

filmed himself.

May 3, 2018 Germany A Syrian man is arrested on suspicion of being a member of ISIS.

May 1, 2018 USA A 17-year-old boy was arrested in Texas for making terroristic threats 

and plotting to attack a mall. He was inspired by ISIS propaganda.

April 26, 2018 Italy A Gambian asylum-seeker was arrested in Italy for plotting an attack on 

behalf of ISIS.

April 20, 2018 Syria (Germany)A Syrian born German national was detained in Syria for assisting ISIS. 

He was previously identified in the 9/11 Commission Report.

April 13, 2018 Germany Three Syrian refugees were detained in Germany on suspicion of ties to 

ISIS.

April 10, 2018 Bosnia Two ISIS members were arrested who appeared to be planning an 

attack on Sarajevo.

April 9, 2018 France Six people were detained for the murder of two police officers by members of ISIS in 2016.
12

March 29, 2018 Italy Five unidentified Tunisian men were arrested in connection to a December 2016 truck attack in Germany on behalf of ISIS.

March 28, 2018 Italy A 23-year-old man was arrested for planning an attack on behalf of ISIS.

March 27, 2018 Italy A 59-year-old Egyptian man living in Italy was arrested for “terrorist 

activities.”

March 23, 2018 France A 26-year-old man attacked a supermarket in Trèbes, killing four and 

wounding sixteen.

March 19, 2018 Greece A 33-year-old male Syrian refugee was accused of being a member of 

ISIS.

March 16, 2018 USA A 26-year-old Tennessee man was arrested for making false statements 

while attempting to buy a firearm. The man had a known fascination 

with ISIS.

March 7, 2018 USA A Utah teenager was arrested and charged with building and attempting to use an IED at his school. The teen had been researching ISIS.

February 27, 

2018

Finland A 22-year-old Moroccan man who killed two and wounded nine in a 

prior knife attack stated that he carried out the attack on behalf of ISIS.

January 27, 

2018

France A 30-year-old man was handed over to the French by Belgium to be 

charged in his role in the 2015 attacks on Paris.

January 21, 

2018

France An unidentified 33-year-old man was arrested for planning an attack on 

behalf of ISIS.

January 8, 2018 Israel Two women were arrested for plotting an attack on Israel on behalf of 

ISIS.

December 30, 

2017

USA A Virginia man was arrested for obstructing a terrorism investigation.

December 22, 

2017

USA A California man was arrested for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

December 21, 

2017

England A 34-year-old Oldham man was arrested for possessing multiple copies 

of an ISIS magazine.

December 20, 

2017

Australia A 25-year-old was arrested for traveling to Syria in 2015 with “intent to 

engage in hostile activity.”

December 20, 

2017

Germany A 29-year-old German was arrested for plotting an attack on behalf of 

ISIS.

December 17, 

2017

USA A New Jersey woman was arrested for providing material support to 

ISIS.

December 13, 

2017

England A 24-year-old man was arrested for plotting an attack on behalf of ISIS.

December 13, 

2017

Germany German police conducted raids that resulted in the arrests of four suspected members of ISIS.

December 11, 

2017

USA A Houston man was arrested for providing material support to a terrorist organization.

December 11, 

2017

USA Five people were left with minor injuries when 27-year-old Bangladeshi 

immigrant Akayed Ullah pledged allegiance to ISIS and detonated a 

foot-long pipe bomb. The bomb did not detonate fully and there was a 

second device found with the suspect.

December 6, 

2017

England A 31-year-old ISIS supporter was arrested for encouraging terror attacks 

against Prince George.
13

December 5, 

2017

England A 20-year-old ISIS supporter appeared in court for a plot to assassinate 

British Prime Minister Theresa May. He was arrested with a 21-year-old 

co-defendant who was trying to join ISIS in Libya.

November 10, 

2017

Sweden A Swedish radio station was hijacked to play an ISIS recruitment song 

for 30 minutes.

November 7, 

2017

France, SwitzerlandTen people were arrested in a joint counterterrorism operation.

November 3, 

2017

Lebanon 

(Australia)

An Australian teenager was arrested by Lebanese authorities for attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIS.

October 31, 

2017

USA Eight people were killed and almost a dozen injured when 29-year-old 

Uzbekistan national Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov drove down a bicycle 

path with a rented pickup truck near the World Trade Center in Manhattan.

October 25, 

2017

USA A Michigan man who was arrested by the FBI’s counterterrorism team 

admitted to manufacturing bombs and consuming ISIS propaganda.

October 13, 

2017

Austria A man was arrested for attempting to travel to join ISIS in Syria.

October 1, 2017 France Two women were stabbed to death in Marseille by an ISIS militant carrying a butcher’s knife before the attacker was shot dead by a French 

soldier. 

September 

30-October 1, 

2017

Canada A police officer and at least four others were injured during a car and 

knife lone-wolf attack outside a football game in Edmonton. The assailant was a Somali refugee. 

September 19, 

2017

Germany Two men were arrested in Berlin for participating in terrorist activities in 

Iraq.

September 15, 

2017

England An 18-year-old man was arrested for attempting to blow up a train car 

on the London underground. He wounded 29.

September 13, 

2017

Germany A 24-year-old Syrian national was arrested under allegations of being a 

member of several terrorist organizations, including ISIS.

September 12, 

2017

Syria (USA) An American fighting for ISIS turned himself over to US backed forces 

in Syria.

September 6, 

2017

Turkey An ISIS militant was killed by police after an attempted suicide bombing.

August 31, 2017 USA An Uzbek citizen living in Chicago was arrested for conspiring to provide support to multiple terrorist groups, including ISIS.

August 29, 2017 USA A Queens man was arrested for attempting to provide material support 

to ISIS.

August 21, 2017 Australia Three brothers attempted to smuggle an explosive aboard a flight originating from Sydney. The fourth brother is a senior member of ISIS.

August 21, 2017 Spain A-number-of-attacks were linked to one Imam, who was killed in an 

explosion on August 16.

August 21, 2017 Spain Five people rammed a crowd with a car and went on a bladed weapon 

rampage in Cambrils. 1 died and 6 were wounded. All attackers were 

killed.

August 17, 2017 Spain A 22-year-old man drove a van through a pedestrian area. He abandoned the van and stole a car to escape. 14 were killed and at least 130 

were wounded.
14

August 16, 2017 Spain 2 men were killed and 1 wounded following an explosion in Alcanar. Police found 120 gas canisters. One of the men confirmed that they were 

planning to use the canisters in an attack.

July 30, 2017 Australia Four people were arrested on suspicion of using explosives to bring 

down an airliner. The men were reportedly in contact with ISIS members.

July 18, 2017 Ireland A Waterford man was arrested for providing and attempting to provide 

funds to international terrorist groups.

July 17, 2017 Iraq (Germany)A 16-year-old German girl was arrested in Iraq after the city of Mosul 

was secured by Iraqi forces.

July 11, 2017 USA An active duty Army sergeant was arrested for attempting to provide 

material support and operational expertise to ISIS.

June 30, 2017 Spain Four men were arrested in Mallorca on suspicion of being an ISIS cell.

June 30, 2017 Germany One man was arrested on suspicion of being a part of the aforementioned Mallorca ISIS cell.

June 28, 2017 Switzerland Four men were arrested in Switzerland for suspected links to terrorist 

organizations including ISIS.

June 20, 2017 Belgium An ISIS sympathizer was killed attempting to bomb a train station. There 

were no casualties.

June 20, 2017 Spain Three Moroccan men were arrested on terror related charges. The men 

also attempted to recruit people to carry out an attack.

June 19, 2017 France A man drove an explosive laden car into a police vehicle in Paris. The 

man was killed, but no others were injured.

June 15, 2017 Australia A 22-year-old man was arrested for attempting to travel to Syria to fight 

for ISIS.

June 6, 2017 France A 40-year-old man attacked a police officer in France, wounding him. 

A video of the man pledging allegiance to ISIS was recovered in his 

apartment.

June 5, 2017 Australia A 29-year-old man killed an apartment employee and took a woman 

hostage claiming the attack was for Al-Qaeda and ISIS. 

June 4, 2017 England Three men used a van to hit pedestrians on London bridge before exiting and using knives to attack. Police killed the three men. 8 were killed 

and 48 injured.

June 3, 2017 Canada A 32-year-old woman attacked store patrons in Toronto while claiming 

she was “from ISIS”. A shop employee was treated at the scene for 

minor injuries.

June 1, 2017 Germany A 17-year-old asylum seeker was held by police for planning a suicide 

attack.

May 22, 2017 England A suicide bombing at a Manchester Arena killed 22 people and injured 

59. Police believe the bombing was the responsibility of one man, 

22-year-old Salman Abedi.

 April 24, 2017 Italy A 29-year-old Moroccan man planned an attack in Italy, where he had 

been living for nine years as an illegal immigrant. 

April 20, 2017 France ISIS claimed an attack in Paris that left 1 police officer dead and 2 others 

wounded.

April 18, 2017 France Two French nationals were arrested for planning an attack. One of the 

men claimed allegiance to ISIS in a video.
15

April 7, 2017 Sweden An attacker stole a truck and drove it into a crowd and then a department store in Stockholm. 5 were killed and 15 injured in the attack. 

March 22, 2017 England A 52-year-old British man attacked Westminster, killing 5 and injuring 49. The attacker was killed at the scene. 

 

 

March 11, 2017 Germany A shopping mall in Germany was closed after warning of an ISIS attack. 

Two men were questioned regarding the plot.

March 3, 2017 USA A 26-year-old Long Island man was arrested for attempting to provide 

material support and resources to ISIS. 

February 26, 

2017

Philippines 

(Germany)

A 70-year-old German man was beheaded by Abu Sayyaf after he was 

captured from his boat. The man’s wife was found dead onboard the 

vessel by authorities.

February 21, 

2017

Germany A man identified as Sascha L. was arrested on suspicion of planning a 

terror attack.

February 11, 

2017

Turkey A Danish citizen and Swedish citizen were arrested in Turkey on suspicion of planning ISIS attacks.

February 10, 

2017

France A 16-year-old girl and three men were arrested in France in a foiled 

terror plot. The girl pledged allegiance to ISIS in a video.

February 9, 

2017

Germany Police questioned two men on suspicion of plotting an attack. Weapons, 

ammunition, and ISIS flags were found in their possession.

February 8, 

2017

Australia Two 19-year-olds were accused of planning an attack in Sydney. The 

two were taken into custody in early 2016 on lesser charges.

February 3, 

2017

France Abdullah Reda al-Hamahmy attacked two soldiers at the Louvre. One 

soldier was lightly wounded. Pro-ISIS statements were found on the 

attacker’s twitter.

February 1, 2017 Germany A Tunisian asylum seeker was arrested on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in Germany.

January 31, 2017 USA A 37-year-old man shot and killed a security officer. Jihadist material 

was found in his backpack.

January 21, 

2017

Austria A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the arrest cited 

below.

January 20, 

2017

Austria A 17-year-old was arrested in Vienna for plotting a terror attack. He 

allegedly pledged his allegiance for ISIS. He was connected to a terror 

plot that involved a 12-year-old in Germany.

January 13, 2017 Spain Two men were arrested in Spain. According to police the men had 

formed a group that was plotting attacks.

January 6, 2017 USA A 26-year-old man attacked Ft. Lauderdale Int airport. The attacker 

claimed the attack was on behalf of ISIS. 5 were killed and 42 wounded 

in the attack,

January 1, 2017 Turkey A man attacked a nightclub with a gun, killing 39 and wounding 70. The 

attack was claimed by ISIS.

December 31, 

2016

Germany A Syrian asylum seeker was arrested for requesting money from ISIS to 

buy vehicles to be outfitted with explosives and driven into crowds.

December 22, 

2016

Australia Seven suspects arrested in Melbourne on suspicion of planning bombs 

on Christmas day.

December 19, 

2016

Germany A Tunisian man drove a truck through a market in Berlin, killing 12 and 

wounding 48. 
16

December 18, 

2016

Jordan (Canada)ISIS attacked a popular site in Jordan, killing 14 and wounding 37. A 

Canadian was among those killed in the attack.

December 12, 

2016

England Two people were arrested related to the acquisition and possession of 

chemicals that could be used as explosives, and for preparing an act 

of terrorism. One of the pair was also suspected of being a member of 

ISIS. 

December 9, 

2016

Netherlands A 30-year-old suspected of planning an attack was arrested. An IS flag 

was found in his apartment along with an AK-47.

December 5, 

2016

Germany A 12-year-old boy guided by ISIS planted an explosive outside Ludwigshafen City Hall. The device was destroyed by experts. The same 

boy attempted to detonate a bomb in a separate attack at a Christmas 

market in late November. He was connected to a 17-year-old Austrian 

ISIS plotter. 

November 29, 

2016

Germany A German intelligence officer was arrested for a suspected plot. The 

officer is thought to have pledged allegiance to ISIS and passed along 

sensitive information.

November 28, 

2016

USA An 18-year-old Somali refugee drove a car into a crowd and attacked 

with a knife on the campus of The Ohio State University. 13 people were 

injured in the attack.

November 19-

20

France French authorities foiled a terrorist plot – arresting seven suspects.

November 19, 

2016

USA A 37-year-old New York man was arrested for attempting to join ISIS.

November 4 & 

15, 2016

Kosovo, 

Albania, 

Macedonia

Law enforcement authorities arrested 18 suspects in connection with a 

terrorist cell. An ISIS member was reportedly in contact with the group 

and directing its members to carry out attacks.

November 7, 

2016

USA An Ohio man was arrested after attempting to join ISIS in Libya.

November 3, 

2016

Germany A Syrian asylum-seeker was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack 

on behalf of ISIS.

October 28, 

2016

USA An ISIS supporter attempted to facilitate an attack in the US.

October 27, 

2016

Kenya (USA) ISIS took credit for a stabbing of a security guard at the American embassy in Nairobi.

October 27, 

2016

Germany Authorities announced that in March they arrested a 19-year-old ISIS 

member that was plotting an attack.

October 13, 

2016

Australia Two 16-year-olds were arrested after planning an attack in Sydney. They 

pledged alliance to ISIS.

October 12, 

2016

USA An Arizona woman sent ISIS magazines to her husband in prison.

October 10, 

2016

Germany A 22-year-old Syrian refugee was arrested after planning a suicide 

bombing.

October 8, 2016 Egypt (USA) An Egyptian ISIS supporter attacked a vehicle carrying US service members using a vehicle-borne IED.

October 7, 2016 USA An Ohio man was arrested after attempting to travel to join ISIS.

October 5, 2016 USA Two Wisconsin men were arrested after attempting to join ISIS overseas. One of the men was an immigrant.
17

October 4, 2016 England A 33-year-old man was arrested for attempting to assist in the execution 

of an attack.

September 30, 

2016

USA A Bangladeshi citizen living legally in Maryland was arrested after plotting to kill US military personnel on behalf of ISIS.

September 25, 

2016

France Two women, 17 & 19 years old, were arrested for plotting an attack. The 

women were reportedly in contact with a French ISIS operative.

September 21, 

2016

Germany A 16-year-old Syrian refugee was arrested for plotting an attack. The 16 

year old was in contact with ISIS.

September 18, 

2016

USA A 28-year-old man was arrested after launching a bombing campaign. 

The man was carrying an ISIS journal calling for attacks in the west.

September 18, 

2016

USA A 20-year-old man went on a knife rampage in a Minnesota mall, 

wounding 10 people.

September 10, 

2016

Australia A 22-year-old man inspired by ISIS stabbed an individual in Sydney.

September 10, 

2016

France A 15-year-old boy was arrested who was plotting an attack in Paris. He 

was believed to be communicating with ISIS operatives.

September 10, 

2016

USA An ISIS linked cyber hacking group released a list of names of real estate professionals in the USA and encouraged attacks on those people.

September 9, 

2016

France Members of a female ISIS cell were arrested for plotting an attack in 

Paris.

September 8, 

2016

USA An ISIS supporter in Kentucky posted the information of an individual 

she encouraged others to attack and kill.

August 10, 2016 Canada A 24-year-old ISIS supporter was killed in a confrontation with police.

August 6, 2016 Belgium A 33-year-old Algerian in Belgium illegally attacked police officers with 

a machete. ISIS claimed the man was a supporter.

August 4, 2016 USA A 35-year-old North Carolina man was arrested for attempting to recruit 

people to carry out an attack. The man was in contact with ISIS linked 

attackers.

August 3, 2016 USA A 36-year-old Islamic convert and US citizen was arrested in D.C. for 

purchasing gift cards for messaging accounts used by ISIS recruiters. 

He was known to the FBI for radicalization.

July 26, 2016 France Two Islamist terrorists who pledged allegiance to ISIS attacked people 

attending a Catholic Mass in Normandy. Six people were held captive 

and one killed.

July 24, 2016 Germany Mahommed Daleel, a Syrian Refugee who pledged allegiance to ISIS, 

conducted a suicide bombing injuring 15 people.

July 2016 France A 31-year old man drove a truck through a crowded promenade on Bastille Day in Nice, France, killing 84 and injuring over 200. He is believed 

to have been radicalized in part by ISIS propaganda.

July 2016 South Africa Two brothers were arrested for planning to attack the U.S. embassy in 

Pretoria, in addition to an unidentified “Jewish building,” in the name of 

ISIS.

July 2016 USA An Ohio man pleaded guilty to attempting to kill law enforcement and 

military personnel after being directed to do so by a now-deceased ISIS 

operative in Syria.
18

July 2016 USA An 18-year-old was arrested for planning terrorist attacks on government buildings in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. His classmate said he 

posted “calls for Jihad” on Facebook.

July 2016 USA A former member of the Army National Guard was arrested for providing material support and assisting with a plot to launch an attack on U.S. 

soil in the name of ISIS. 

July 2016 Bangladesh ISIS-linked terrorists killed two dozen people after holding hostages in a 

Dhaka café frequented by Western tourists and diplomats.

June 2016 Belgium Authorities arrested and charged three ISIS-linked operatives for 

plotting to attack the Euro 2016 soccer match between Belgium and 

Ireland.

June 2016 France A 25-year old attacker killed a local police official and his partner in 

their home in the name of ISIS.

June 2016 USA An ISIS-radicalized shooter attacked a night club in Orlando, Florida, 

killing 49 people and injuring dozens more.

June 2016 Online ISIS’ so-called “Cyber Caliphate” released a “kill list” naming thousands 

of individuals for its supporters to target, mostly based in the United 

States. 

June 2016 Germany Four ISIS suspects from Syria were arrested for a plot to kill pedestrians 

using bombs and guns on the streets of Dusseldorf.

May 2016 Australia An 18-year old was arrested and charged with planning to launch a terrorist attack in Sydney, in addition to attempting to join ISIS in Syria.

April 2016 Germany A 15-year-old girl attacked and stabbed a police officer at a train station 

in Hannover after the officer stopped to check her identity. She was 

reportedly urged by two ISIS middlemen to conduct an attack.

April 2016 USA A 40-year old man was arrested in South Florida for planning an explosive attack on a Synagogue in the name of ISIS.

April 2016 Australia A teenager communicating with an overseas ISIS operative was arrested for attempting to purchase a firearm in order to conduct a terrorist 

attack during Anzac Day.

April 2016 Spain A Moroccan man and alleged ISIS recruiter was arrested for preparing 

an attack in Spain and attempting to join the terrorist group in Syria.

March 2016 France Authorities arrested a man connected to the terrorist massacre in Brussels for plotting an additional attack. 

March 2016 Belgium ISIS operatives launched coordinated suicide bombings in Brussels, including against the airport and a metro station, killing dozens of civilians 

and injuring hundreds more. 

March 2016 USA A University of California – Merced student stabbed a fellow student 

and attacked three others on campus. The suspect was reportedly 

inspired by ISIS and carried the group’s flag during his attack. 
19

March 2016 France Authorities foiled a terrorist attack being plotted in the suburbs of Paris 

and arrested four suspects who were believed to be communicating 

with ISIS.

March 2016 Belgium At least one terror suspect attacked authorities who were conducting 

a raid linked to the investigation into the November 2015 Paris attacks 

executed by ISIS.

March 2016 Italy A Somali refugee in Italy was detained by police for allegedly planning 

an ISIS-linked attack at a train station in Rome. 

March 2016 USA An ISIS hacker group posted a “kill list” urging followers to carry out 

lone wolf attacks on 55 police officers from New York and New Jersey. 

February 2016 Sweden A 20-year-old man was arrested for plotting an ISIS-inspired suicide 

bombing after previously attempting to join ISIS in Syria.

February 2016 USA A Michigan man was arrested by the FBI for planning to conduct a mass 

shooting at a nearby church, where he hoped to kill thousands of worshippers in the name of ISIS.

February 2016 USA A Missouri woman was arrested by the FBI for making pro-ISIS threats 

of violence against government and military personnel through online 

postings which included personal and location information for some of 

the individuals.

February 2016 Germany German police detained three suspects believed to be involved in an 

ISIS plot to conduct “severely violent attacks” in Berlin, possibly against 

two popular tourist locations. At least one of the suspects is believed to 

have trained with ISIS in Syria.

January 2016 Denmark A teenage girl was arrested while plotting to bomb a Jewish school in 

Copenhagen with the help of an accomplice who had fought with ISIS 

in Syria.

January 2016 France A teenage ISIS supporter was arrested on terror charges for attacking a 

Jewish teacher with a machete in Marseille.

January 2016 France On the one-year anniversary of the Paris Charlie Hebdo attacks, an 

ISIS-inspired knife-wielding man charged a Paris police station and was 

shot dead by authorities.

January 2016 Turkey An ISIS suicide bomber struck a popular Istanbul tourist area killing 10, 

including nine German nationals, and wounding 15.

January 2016 Indonesia A group of terrorists launched a complex attack in downtown Jakarta, targeting Westerners in a shopping district. ISIS took credit for the 

attack, which they said was targeted at foreigners and the “crusader 

alliance” fighting ISIS.

December 2015 UK A knife-wielding man attacked passengers in a London tube station, 

reportedly yelling, “This is for Syria,” and attempted to behead one individual. ISIS propaganda was found on his phone.
20

December 2015 USA A New York man was arrested for plotting to attack civilians at a restaurant in Rochester, New York on New Year’s Eve. The suspect claimed he 

received direction from an ISIS operative overseas and wanted to join 

the group in Syria.

December 2015 USA An ISIS-inspired married couple opened fire at a holiday party at the 

Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, killing 14. The suspects fled 

the scene but were later killed by police in a shootout.

December 2015 Belgium Belgian authorities arrested two people on suspicion of being involved 

in a plot to attack “emblematic sites” in Belgium’s capital during New 

Year’s celebrations.

December 2015 Turkey Turkey detained nearly a dozen suspected ISIS operatives for planning 

to conduct a suicide bomb attack on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul. A 

number of the suspects arrived in Turkey from Syria using fake passports.

November 2015 Spain Three ISIS-linked Moroccans living in Spain were arrested in raids in 

Madrid and Rivas-Vacimadrid for planning a jihadist attack in the country’s capital. 

November 2015 France ISIS operatives conducted a series of coordinated terrorist attacks 

in the French capital targeting a concert hall, restaurants, and cafes, 

killing 130 people and injuring more than 350. At least two operatives 

are believed to have entered Europe posing as refugees, and ISIS later 

released videos purportedly showing each of the attackers as having 

previously been in Syria.

November 2015 Europe In a coordinated police sweep across Europe (Britain, Norway, Finland, 

and Italy), authorities detained 16 ISIS-linked suspects who were planning to attack and kidnap Western diplomats in the Middle East in a bid 

to free a jailed jihadist leader. Police were unable to detain some of the 

suspects, as they had already traveled to Syria to join groups like ISIS.

September 

2015

USA A Florida man who sympathized with ISIS was arrested for providing 

bomb-making advice to an informant for an intended terrorist attack on 

a 9/11 Anniversary ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri.

August 2015 France A Moroccan man was subdued by passengers and later arrested after 

attempting to launch a mass shooting attack on a train traveling from 

Amsterdam to Paris. Several individuals were wounded by the suspect, 

who is believed to have been inspired by jihadist groups like ISIS and 

may have traveled to Syria.

August 2015 USA A teenage boy was arrested outside Philadelphia for threatening to 

launch an ISIS-inspired assault on Pope Francis during his visit to the 

United States, including using firearms and explosives.

August 2015 France A French citizen believed to have fought with ISIS was arrested by 

police for allegedly having returned from the group’s stronghold in Syria 

with instructions to attack a concert.

August 2015 USA An ISIS hacker group posted the personal information of hundreds of 

U.S. military and government personnel while urging followers to conduct attacks against such targets.

July 2015 USA An ISIS-inspired Florida man was arrested for allegedly plotting to kill 

beach-goers using explosives hidden under the sand, a plot possibly 

timed around the Fourth of July.
21

July 2015 USA A Massachusetts man was arrested for plotting to live-stream an ISIS-inspired terrorist rampage on a college campus, potentially timed around 

the Fourth of July.

July 2015 Italy Two ISIS sympathizers were arrested after threatening to carry out a 

terrorist attack on a military base in Italy with a U.S. presence.

July 2015 UK A British man was arrested and charged with plotting to attack U.S. 

troops in the United Kingdom as part of an ISIS-inspired plot.

July 2015 France French authorities arrested four terror suspects who were plotting a 

shooting rampage at a French military base and planned to behead the 

base commander. Three of the suspects were believed to be in touch 

with ISIS operatives in Syria, including one who indicated he had been 

directed to strike France.

July 2015 Kosovo Authorities in Kosovo arrested five ISIS-linked individuals for plotting to 

poison the water supply to Pristina, the country’s 200,000-person capital. Two of the suspects are believed to have returned from Syria.

July 2015 Egypt ISIS took credit for a car bomb attack against the Italian consulate in 

Cairo, killing one.

June 2015 France A French individual believed to be inspired by ISIS beheaded his 

employer, planted jihadist banners near his victim, and rammed his car 

into the gas factory at which he had been employed, injuring two in the 

subsequent explosion. 

June 2015 Tunisia ISIS claimed responsibility for a shooting rampage at a Tunisian beach 

resort popular with Westerners, an attack that killed 38 individuals, all of 

which were European tourists. The suspect visited an ISIS training camp 

in Libya.

June 2015 USA A 19-year-old North Carolina man was arrested and charged with “planning assassinations” and plotting to “kill a large number of U.S. citizens” 

in the name of ISIS.

June 2015 UK Authorities disrupted an ISIS-linked bomb plot against an Armed Forces 

Day parade in London after a tip-off from journalist who had been in 

touch with an ISIS operative in Syria who directed the attack.

June 2015 USA Two ISIS supporters were arrested and charged for assaulting law enforcement officers and were believed to be hatching a terrorist plot to 

set off explosives at New York City landmarks.

June 2015 USA Police shot and killed a terror suspect in Boston after he charged 

authorities with a knife. The individual was inspired by ISIS, in touch 

with overseas operatives, and believed to be moving forward with an 

imminent plot to behead law enforcement officers.

May 2015 USA Two Arizona men were killed while attempting to carry out a terrorist attack against a Prophet Mohammad “cartoon drawing” event in Garland, 

Texas. At least one of the attackers was in contact with a prominent ISIS 

operative overseas. 

April 2015 USA A Kansas man was arrested for plotting a suicide car bomb attack 

against Fort Riley military base in the name of ISIS.
22

April 2015 France An Algerian man living in France was arrested after accidentally shooting himself in the leg, leading police to discover his plans to conduct a 

jihadist shooting attack against French churches. The suspect was in 

touch with at least one ISIS operative in Syria.

April 2015 USA An Ohio resident with ties to ISIS--and who returned from fighting 

with jihadist groups in Syria--was arrested for plotting a terrorist attack 

against a U.S. military base. 

April 2015 USA Two ISIS-inspired women in New York were arrested after allegedly 

planning to build and detonate a homemade bomb in the United States. 

The suspects were reportedly in touch with terrorists overseas.

April 2015 Saudi Arabia Saudi authorities arrested three individuals planning a car bomb attack 

against the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. The individuals were part of a larger ISIS cell disrupted by authorities.

April 2015 Australia Five Australian teens were arrested while planning a terrorist attack at a 

veteran’s day event in Melbourne. At least one of the suspects received 

instructions from an ISIS operative in Syria.

April 2015 Spain Authorities detained 10 individuals from an ISIS-linked group planning 

possible terrorist acts, including kidnappings, executions, attacks on 

Jewish shops, and attacks on public buildings.

March 2015 Canada An ISIS-inspired Pakistani man was arrested for plotting to launch a 

terrorist attack against the U.S. consulate and other buildings in the 

financial district in Toronto using remote-controlled explosives.

March 2015 Tunisia Terrorists shot and killed 21 people, primarily European tourists, at the 

National Bardo Museum in Tunisia. ISIS claimed responsibility for the 

attack.

March 2015 USA A former U.S. National Guardsman and his cousin were arrested for an 

ISIS-inspired plot to conduct a terrorist attack against a military base in 

Illinois.

March 2015 Spain Authorities arrested four individuals linked to ISIS militants for plotting a 

possible terrorist attack on Spanish soil.

March 2015 Spain Authorities arrested multiple individuals who were part of an ISIS-linked 

terrorist cell believed to be preparing for attacks in Spain and beyond. 

The group’s activities were reportedly coordinated by an ISIS operative 

in Syria.

March 2015 USA A group claiming to be ISIS’ hacking division released a hit list that 

included the names of over 100 U.S. military service members.

February 2015 Denmark A gunman who pledged allegiance to ISIS opened fire at an event at 

a Copenhagen cultural center, killing one civilian and wounding three 

police officers. Authorities suspect the gunman was targeting Lars Vilks, 

a cartoonist who had caricatured the Prophet Muhammad; the suspect 

also shot and killed a security guard outside a synagogue later that 

evening.

February 2015 France Two French soldiers were wounded in a knife attack outside a Jewish 

community center in Nice, France by a suspect recently expelled from 

Turkey under suspicion of heading to join ISIS.
23

February 2015 Australia Australian police arrested two men for planning a public beheading in 

Sydney after discovering ISIS propaganda in their possession and a 

video detailing their plot.

January 2015 Libya ISIS operatives detonated a car bomb at the Corinthia Hotel, a known 

residence of Westerners in Tripoli, and gunmen stormed the facility 

killing nine, including an American security contractor and a French 

national. The group said the attack was in retaliation against the U.S. 

capture of a Libyan jihadist. 

January 2015 France An associate of the Charlie Hebdo attackers in Paris held 15 hostages 

in a kosher market, killing four. The suspect pledged allegiance to ISIS 

and is also suspected of having killed a French police officer.

January 2015 USA The FBI arrested an Ohio man inspired by ISIS for plotting a pipe bomb 

and shooting attack against the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

January 2015 Belgium Police killed two suspected ISIS operatives, who had recently returned 

from Syria and were believed to be plotting a major terrorist attack 

against police officers. A third suspect escaped. 

January 2015 Turkey Turkish authorities uncovered a plot by ISIS to attack U.S., French, and 

Belgian consulates in Istanbul.

December 2014 Australia An Australian ISIS supporter took 17 people hostage in a downtown 

Sydney cafe. Three people died when police stormed the facility, including the suspect.

December 2014 UAE Police arrested a woman allegedly inspired by ISIS and other jihadist 

groups for stabbing and killing an American teacher in a shopping mall 

bathroom.

December 2014 France French police shot and killed a knife-wielding suspect who attacked 

and wounded three officers. The suspect had recently made ISIS-linked 

posts on social media.

December 2014 UK UK authorities removed Royal guards from their public positions guarding the Queen’s palace and place them in more secure positions after 

uncovering a potential ISIS-linked plot targeting the guards.

November 2014 Saudi Arabia ISIS-linked militants reportedly shot and wounded a Danish citizen in 

Riyadh. A video claiming credit was later released by the group’s supporters.

November 2014 UK UK police arrested four ISIS-linked individuals on suspicions of planning 

a terrorist attack involving public beheadings timed during Britain’s 

Remembrance Day events. One suspect was later released. 

November 2014 Egypt ISIS’ Egyptian branch took credit for the murder of a U.S. oil worker in 

Egypt.

October 2014 Canada Canadian police killed a terrorist who shot a soldier at Canada’s National War Memorial and then proceeded to attack the Canadian Parliament. The suspect was suspected to have been influenced by ISIS and 

other jihadist propaganda and reportedly sought to travel to Libya and 

Syria.

October 2014 USA A hatchet-wielding man attacked four police officers in New York City, 

wounding two. Police killed the attacker, who was believed to have 

been inspired by ISIS and other jihadist groups.
24

October 2014 Canada An ISIS-inspired extremist struck two Canadian soldiers with his car in 

Quebec, killing one and wounding the other. The suspect was killed by 

police in pursuit.

October 2014 Denmark A Danish teenager radicalized by online ISIS propaganda was arrested after stabbing her mother to death, along with a 29-year-old Iraqi 

accomplice.

October 2014 UK Several ISIS inspired British residents were arrested plotting a potentially “significant” terrorist attack in London, reportedly public beheadings of civilians. One of the suspects had allegedly returned from Syria 

where he had been connected with ISIS.

September 

2014

Australia An ISIS-inspired teen stabbed two police officers in Australia after reportedly having his passport revoked over concerns he would try to join 

the group.

September 

2014

Australia Australian police arrested more than a dozen individuals in counterterrorism raids, including one who was reportedly in touch with an operative in Syria about planning a public beheading in Sydney.

September 

2014

Algeria A French citizen hiking in Algeria was kidnapped and beheaded by an 

ISIS affiliate, which later released a video claiming credit.

May 2014 Belgium Four civilians were killed in a terrorist attack at a Jewish museum in 

Brussels. The shooting was perpetrated by an ISIS supported who had 

returned from Syria in 2013.

May 2014 USA The FBI arrested an upstate New York man who sought to support ISIS 

and plotted to shoot and kill members of the U.S. military who returned 

from Iraq.

March 2014 Switzerland Swiss authorities arrested four Iraqis suspected of planning a terrorist 

attack in Europe in the name of ISIS. The suspects had sought to purchase toxic gas and explosives for their attack.

February 2014 France Police in the French Riviera arrested a French-Algerian extremist who 

fought with ISIS in Syria and was believed to be planning a terrorist 

attack in the country using explosives.
25