A Canadian man helped a terror network carry out bombings in Iraq that killed five U.S. soldiers and numerous Iraqi citizens, New York authorities said Wednesday. They said he even tried to become a suicide bomber.
Faruq Khalil Muhammad 'Isa, also known as Sayfildin Tahir Sharif, is charged in Brooklyn in a truck bomb attack outside a U.S. base in Mosul, Iraq, on April 10. Five American soldiers were killed.
Muhammad was arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday, authorities said.
The network allegedly used Tunisian radicals to help carry out bombings. A second attack at an Iraqi police station killed seven Iraqis, prosecutors said.
Investigators said they have wiretaps showing Muhammad was in contact with members of the terror network. He is charged in Brooklyn federal court with conspiracy to kill Americans abroad and providing material support for terrorism. Muhammed, 38, is a Canadian citizen.
In one wiretap conversation, prosecutors said Muhammad told an overseas contact that he knew the truck bomber who killed American soldiers. "He was one of the Tunisian brothers ... Praise God, may God acknowledge him," Muhammad allegedly said.
The five Americans killed were Sgt. Gary Woods, 24 of Lebanon Junction, Ky.; Sgt. Bryan Hall, 32 of Elk Grove, Calif.; Sgt. Edward Forrest Jr., 25 of St. Louis, Mo.; Cpl. Jason Pautsch, 20, of Davenport, Iowa; and Pvt. Bryce Gaultier, 22 of Cyprus, Calif.
Prosecutors said they were seeking the extradition of Muhammed from Canada to New York for trial.
In another wiretap, Muhammed allegedly said, "There is no more pressing duty after the declaration of faith than fighting the enemy." He allegedly told family members, "Go attack the police and Americans. Let it be that you die."
U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said: "There is no safe harbor for terrorists, including those who endeavor to spread violence from halfway across the world." She added the charges show the sacrifice those U.S. soldiers made has not been forgotten.
It is unclear when Muhammad might be sent to New York to face charges.
Jonathan Dienst is a reporter for NBC News and WNBC. Read his story on NBCNewYork.com.
