By Ryan Saavedra
Federal law enforcement officials tasked with protecting America’s borders are warning that Iranian-backed terrorists may try to enter the U.S. illegally through the southern border.
The warning from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) San Diego Field Office Intelligence Unit (SDFO-FITU) comes after Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,400 Israelis in terror attacks two weeks ago that were unprecedented in scale.
The intelligence bulletin says that “individuals inspired by, or reacting to, the current Israel-Hamas conflict may attempt travel to or from the area of hostilities in the Middle East via circuitous transit across the Southwest border.”
“Foreign fighters motivated by ideology or mercenary soldiers of fortune may attempt to obfuscate travel to or from the US to or from countries in the Middle East through Mexico,” the bulletin said.
Officials specifically included patches of three Islamic terrorist groups that are backed by Iran: Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.
Officials warned that possible indicators for agents to watch for were military-aged males, military gear, insignia of terror groups, single travelers, no return plans, and those who have ties to the Middle East.
The bulletin directed agents to ascertain if any encountered suspects have any personal or familial association with Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PLFP), or any other similar groups.
NEW: Per CBP sources, CBP’s San Diego field office sent out this internal intel bulletin on Friday, alerting officers that Hamas, Hezbollah, & Palestinian Islamic Jihad foreign fighters inspired by the Israel conflict may be encountered at the U.S. southern border. Gives officers… pic.twitter.com/vBw5tv7lXg
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 23, 2023