US Soldier Pleads Guilty to Providing Support to ISIS and Planning Attacks

But soldier Cole Bridges, 22, was in fact communicating with an employee of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) pretending to be a supporter of the extremist organization that previously controlled large areas in Iraq and Syria before losing the lands it seized to local forces supported by a coalition. international led by the United States.

On Wednesday, Bridges pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and to attempting to kill members of the US military.“.

AndThe ministry said The element, who joined the US Army in 2019, went from receiving terrorist propaganda via the Internet to trying to provide information to help ISIS..

Bridges began communicating with the FBI agent in October 2020 and “provided training and mentoring to alleged[ISIS]fighters who were planning attacks, including advising on potential targets in New York City.”“.

He later told the alleged ISIS supporter how to most effectively launch an attack against US forces in the Middle East, drew maneuver plans for them to “achieve the attacks with maximum lethality,” and gave advice on how to fortify a camp against a Special Forces attack..

Then he sent the FBI employee a video clip in which he appeared to be wearing a protective armor and standing in front of a flag used by ISIS fighters, and followed it up with a second clip in which he delivered a “propaganda speech in support of an upcoming ISIS ambush targeting US forces,” according to the Ministry of Justice..

Since the announcement of the elimination of the so-called “caliphate state” in 2019, the organization has retreated to remote rural areas. Despite this, its elements are still capable of launching bloody attacks.

Bridges, who will be sentenced on November 2, has pleaded guilty to two counts, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison..