Singapore Reveals Visa Requests by Iran-Backed Militiaman Linked to Terror Plots

Singapore's internal security department revealed that a senior figure in an Iran-backed Iraqi militia, accused of plotting attacks against Jewish targets in Europe and North America, had repeatedly applied for a visa to enter the city-state. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi submitted three visa applications in 2023 and 2024 but ultimately did not travel to Singapore, according to an annual report from the Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs. The agency stated that Al-Saadi would have been denied entry had he attempted to enter Singapore.

Singaporean authorities believe Al-Saadi did visit other Southeast Asian countries during this period and have not ruled out the possibility that these trips had terrorist objectives. The report noted, "We cannot rule out the possibility that Baqer's travels in this region had terrorist objectives and that he considered targeting Singapore, particularly American, Israeli, or Jewish interests present there." Singaporean security services are collaborating with international partners to investigate his activities in the region.

Al-Saadi was identified in May by U.S. authorities as a senior official within Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Iraqi armed group designated as a terrorist organization by Washington. U.S. prosecutors allege he directed and encouraged plots against American and Israeli interests and called for the killing of Americans and Jews in retaliation for the war against Iran.

Singaporean security services assess that the activities of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and its network of armed groups have increased the terrorist risk beyond the Middle East. They view this case as an illustration of how regional conflicts can foster emerging threats in Southeast Asia.