Hezbollah Terrorist Caught at US-Mexico Border
Authorities have detained an individual at the US-Mexico border, suspected of affiliations with the Hezbollah militant group and plotting a bomb attack within the United States, per the New York Post. The detainee, a Lebanese migrant attempting to cross the US-Mexico border, confessed to being a member of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, intending to plant a bomb.
Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, was apprehended by border patrol agents near El Paso, Texas. According to a Border Patrol document, during his initial interrogation, Ebbadi brazenly admitted his nefarious intentions, stating that he planned to make and detonate a bomb.
However, in subsequent interviews, Ebbadi attempted to downplay his affiliation with Hezbollah, claiming he sought to flee Lebanon and Hamas, citing his moral objections to violence. Despite his attempts to portray himself as a reluctant participant, Ebbadi confessed to undergoing extensive training with Hezbollah for over seven years, followed by four years of active service, during which he guarded weapons locations.
Ebbadi’s training, per his admission, was centered around “jihad” and targeted killings of non-Muslim individuals. This revelation spotlights the severity of the threat posed by individuals radicalized by extremist groups like Hezbollah, which has a long history of violence and terrorism.
Alarming Trends In Border Crossings
Recently, the surge in migrants with ties to terrorist organizations attempting to infiltrate the United States has become a pressing concern for border security agencies. The border patrol has recorded a significant increase in encounters with individuals on terror watchlists, with 98 such encounters in fiscal year 2022 and 172 in 2023.
Disturbingly, the trend shows no signs of abating. Federal data disclosed that the United States has made 59 arrests in 2024. Hezbollah, known for its ties to Iran and its campaign of violence against Israel, poses a grave threat not only to regional stability but also to global security.
The group’s involvement in launching missiles into northern Israel, resulting in casualties among both Israeli soldiers and civilians, underscores its willingness to engage in indiscriminate violence to further its agenda. Following his apprehension, authorities also discovered that Ebbadi lacked proper documentation.
However, he claimed it had been stolen while in Costa Rica. Furthermore, Ebbadi admitted to using fake identities and birthdates in multiple countries, including Ecuador, Sweden, and Panama, to enter the United States undetected.
His intended destination, New York City, raised alarm bells among law enforcement officials, given the city’s status as a prime target for terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, speaking at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, over the weekend, ex-President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for the increase in illegal migrants and migrant-related crimes, promising to reverse all ‘open border policies’ if re-elected.
Intensifying Efforts To Safeguard Borders
In response to the growing threat posed by individuals with terrorist affiliations attempting to cross the border, law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to bolster security measures. Accordingly, the Tactical Terrorism Response Team (TTRT) conducted a thorough investigation into Ebbadi’s case, leading to his immediate isolation and referral for deportation from the United States.
Just days before the recent visit of former President Donald Trump to Eagle Pass, Texas, another terror-watch-listed migrant, Colombian national Carlos Obed Yepez-Bedoya, was apprehended after illegally crossing into the area. This incident underlines the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies, both at the federal and state levels, to address security vulnerabilities along the border and further prevent threats to public safety and national security.
Initiatives such as Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star in Texas demonstrate a commitment to decisive action to enhance border security and protect the American people from harm. As the interrogation continues, authorities intend to gather additional intelligence data to ascertain any potential accomplices or networks associated with the apprehended suspect.
