FBI arrests two Anaheim men on ISIL support charges

WASHINGTON – Two California men were charged Friday in a conspiracy to support the Islamic State that ended when federal agents arrested one of the suspects at Los Angeles International Airport as he prepared to travel to join ISIL's ranks.

Nader Elhuzayel, 24, of Anaheim, was arrested late Thursday shortly before boarding a flight to the Middle East. About the same time, federal authorities arrested Muhanad Badawi, 24, also of Anaheim.

Both suspects, according to federal prosecutors, expressed a desire to die as "martyrs" for ISIL's cause.

Earlier this month, Elhuzayel allegedly used social media to laud ISIL sympathizer Elton Simpson, one of two attackers killed in a botched assault on a Garland, Texas, conference featuring a provocative contest for cartoon depictions of the prophet Muhammad.

According to court documents, Elhauzayel tweeted support for the attempted attack and praised Simpson as a "martyr.''

"I love you for the sake of Allah ... May Allah grant you jannat al ferdus (a paradise that includes martyrs),'' Elhauzayel tweeted. On the same date, he added: "Allahu Akbar (God is great) may Allah accept the brother.''

As in a series of similar cases involving U.S., suspects drawn to ISIL's cause, the two California men are accused of using social media to profess their allegiance to ISIL and outline their plans to take action on behalf of the terror group.

Using multiple Twitter accounts, the two suspects allegedly discussed their belief that it would be a "blessing to fight for the cause of Allah, and to die in the battlefield.''

And in a series of recorded conversations, they expressed hope for ISIL's expansion, despite airstrikes by a U.S.-led coalition.

"Can you imagine when al-Qaeda joins with the Islamic State?'' Elhauzayel allegedly asked at one point, referring ISIL's rival.

"We will be huge,'' Badawi allegedly responded.

Earlier this month, Elhuzayel allegedly used Badawi's credit card to purchase a one-way airline ticket for travel from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv. The flight included a stop-over in Instanbul, a popular staging area for foreign fighters seeking to join ISIL in Syria.

The two men, if convicted, face maximum punishments of 15 years in prison.