More Than 15 Arrested In Australia In Alleged ISIS Plot To Behead Random People

Sydney authorities said 12 suburbs from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia were raided by 800 Australian Federal Police officers early Thursday morning in a major operation they say foiled an alleged plot to kidnap random residents, behead them, and cover their bodies with the ISIS flag.

At least 25 search warrants were executed and a total of fifteen suspects were arrested in what is being called the largest terror raid in Australia’s history.

“If you have any intent to bring overseas conflicts here, if you have any intent to threaten the security of this community, we will hunt you down,” said the Premier of New South Wales Michael Baird, following the raids.

“Those that think they may be operating in dark corners, we are shining the light upon you.”

“You may well be listened to as we speak.”

ISIS leader Omarjan Azari has been charged for allegedly conspiring with senior ISIS member Mohammad Baryalei and more than a dozen others “to do acts in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act (or acts),” Yahoo.com reports.

Here’s a photo showing how widespread the alleged ISIS plot and raids were:

“We don’t need to whip this up,” said New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

“We actually need to let people know that they are safe and certainly from our perspective, we know that the work this morning will ensure that all of those plans that may have been on foot have been thwarted.”

Sydney is currently gearing up to host several major sporting events, including the Sydney Running Festival, the NRL, and the AFL semi-finals this weekend.

Australia’s major anti-ISIS operation was launched less than 24 hours after the U.S. Congress voted in favor of Obama’s plan to arm and train Syrian rebels to combat ISIS in Iraq.