'I'm ready to die for the Caliphate': New York man, 22, arrested after making 'relentless' attempts to join ISIS 

  • Ali Saleh, 22, from Queens, arrested yesterday after 'trying to join ISIS'
  • FBI say he made at least five attempts to fly to the Middle East to sign up
  • Also allegedly contacted recruiters online for tips on how to get to Syria
  • Before one flight he tweeted that he was 'ready to die for the Caliphate'
  • But Saleh is now facing 20 years behind bars on terrorism charges

By Chris Pleasance For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:00 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 23:45 EST, 17 September 2015

A 22-year-old from New York has been arrested after making 'relentless' attempts to join ISIS, according to the FBI.

Ali Saleh, from Queens, was arrested yesterday after making repeated contact with ISIS recruiters, tweeting that he was 'ready to die for the Caliphate' and asking how to join the group, it is claimed.

Between August last year and last month, Saleh made at least five attempts to fly to the Middle East, even attempting to get a train to Toronto before boarding a plane there, agents said.

Ali Saleh, 22, from Queens is accused of trying to get on at least five flights to the Middle East in a 'relentless' attempt to join ISIS, but was stopped from flying each time before being arrested today (file image)

Ali Saleh, 22, from Queens is accused of trying to get on at least five flights to the Middle East in a 'relentless' attempt to join ISIS, but was stopped from flying each time before being arrested today (file image)

Saleh is also accused of providing material to support ISIS, though it is not immediately clear what that material is. 

Saleh appeared in a Brooklyn court today charged with terrorism offences and was told he could face up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.

According to FBI charging documents, Saleh first attempted to join the terrorist group in August last year when he booked a flight from New York JFK Airport to Istanbul, in Turkey.

Turkey is a common destination for those trying to join ISIS, who typically travel to the country's south before attempting to cross the border into Syria, where the group is based.

Agents say several days before he was due to fly, Saleh used his Twitter account to send a message reading: 'I’m ready to die for the Caliphate, prison is nothing.'

He was denied permission to fly on that occasion, before attempting to get on another plane in July this year, this time from JFK to Cairo, in Egypt, investigators say.

The same day, Saleh is accused of using his Twitter to contact a terror recruiter offering to help people get across the border and join the terrorists in Libya.

Saleh was again stopped by airline stewards and was told he would not be able to fly, according to the FBI.

Over the next two days, Saleh visited Newark Liberty International Airport, in New Jersey, and Philadelphia International Airport again trying to fly to the Middle East, it is claimed.

In the days before each flight, Saleh is accused of making contact with ISIS recruiters, asking them the best way to get into Syria and Libya to sign up (file image)

In the days before each flight, Saleh is accused of making contact with ISIS recruiters, asking them the best way to get into Syria and Libya to sign up (file image)

After both of those attempts failed, agents say Saleh attempted to board an Amtrak train to Toronto, where he again planned to fly to the Middle East.

According to documents, after his arrest Saleh told investigators that if he hadn't been caught, he would have continued in his attempts.

Speaking today, New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said: 'By his own words, Ali Saleh was willing to pledge allegiance to, and die for ISIL, an organization that has called for terrorist attacks against the United States. 

'Saleh’s attempts to travel to Syria and ISIL’s battlefields were halted by good intelligence and smart law enforcement. 

'I commend the agents and detectives of the Joint Terrorism Task Force as well as the dedicated prosecutors at the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.'

Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie added: 'Saleh was relentless in his attempts to travel to the Middle East to join a terrorist organization. 

'We will continue to track down and prosecute individuals like Saleh before they are able to harm the United States and its allies.' 

 

 

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