Federal authorities now say they stopped what they describe as a credible terrorist threat over the weekend, arresting four alleged members of a radical pro-Palestinian extremist group accused of planning coordinated bombings across Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve.
The FBI confirmed that the suspects identified themselves as part of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, or TILF — an extremist group driven by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology.
According to investigators, the suspects were allegedly preparing to carry out a series of coordinated attacks using improvised explosive devices.
Federal officials say the group targeted five separate locations throughout Los Angeles and intended to detonate the devices during New Year’s Eve celebrations, a time when large crowds would be gathered.
Authorities allege the suspects were arrested in Lucerne Valley, where they were in the process of preparing and testing explosive devices ahead of the planned attacks.
Each of the four individuals has been charged with conspiracy and possession of a destructive device. The FBI described the arrests as the result of swift and coordinated action that likely prevented mass casualties and widespread panic.
The investigation did not stop there. The FBI announced Monday that a fifth individual believed to be connected to the same extremist network was arrested in New Orleans. That suspect is accused of planning a separate attack tied to the same ideological movement, underscoring what federal officials say is a broader and growing threat from extremist groups operating under anti-American banners.
TILF maintains an online presence, including an Instagram account that claims its founding chapter is based in Los Angeles. The group uses the term “Turtle Island,” an Indigenous phrase referring to North America, and frames the United States as an “illegal American empire.” In its posts, the group openly promotes anti-U.S. rhetoric and calls for dismantling American authority.
“Free Palestine. Free Hawaii. Free Puerto Rico,” the group wrote in one post. “Freeing the world from American imperialism is the only way to a safe and peaceful future.”
Federal authorities say such rhetoric is not merely political speech, but in this case was allegedly paired with concrete plans for violence. The FBI emphasized that the arrests reflect an ongoing effort to identify and disrupt domestic extremist threats before they can carry out attacks on U.S. soil.
The case highlights growing concerns among law enforcement about radicalized groups that blend international political causes with hostility toward American institutions and law enforcement. Officials say these ideologies can fuel domestic terrorism and pose serious risks to public safety, particularly during major public events.
The FBI has not released the names of the suspects or additional operational details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, noting that early intervention remains critical to preventing attacks.
Thanks to the arrests, officials say Los Angeles residents and visitors were spared what could have been a devastating start to the new year.
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