ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – American law enforcement authorities charged an alleged Islamic State (ISIS)-affiliated woman with planning an attack on the New York State Capitol, where she reportedly intended to detonate an explosive device before fleeing to Syria, the Justice Department announced on Thursday.

The woman, identified as Jessica Bowie, aged 35, plotted to “deploy an explosive device at the New York State Capitol, intending to kill public officials and to destroy ‘as much of the building as possible’ before fleeing to ISIS‑controlled territory in Syria,” the Justice Department cited Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg as saying.

According to FBI Operations Director Matt Fodor, the suspect had sworn allegiance to ISIS and “wanted to follow up with additional horrific acts of terrorism.”

Bowie was arrested on Wednesday after she accessed “what she believed to be an explosive device,” intending to target the Capitol and its senators while they were meeting, the statement asserted. She was reportedly seen visiting the building several times and capturing photographs.

“I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting… I want it to have a affect on the American system. And destroy some of the taghut (rebels against God),” the department quoted Bowie as saying.

Investigations purportedly revealed that she intended to carry out the attack before fleeing to Syria “to join others in ISIS-controlled territories.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani dubbed the suspect’s plans “deeply alarming,” noting “I am grateful to our federal and state law enforcement authorities for their vigilance and work to keep New Yorkers safe.”

“There is no place for terrorism or political violence, in our city, our state or anywhere in our country,” he said.

The case comes amid continued concerns over ISIS-inspired attacks in the West, especially by individuals who have sworn allegiance to the organization and act independently, or as part of smaller networks. Authorities have continuously warned that ISIS members seek to encourage affiliates abroad to carry out attacks against civilian and government institutions.

ISIS took control of swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territory in 2014, declaring its so-called caliphate with the Iraqi city of Mosul as its capital. They were territorially defeated with assistance from the US-led coalition forces in Syria in 2019.

Despite its territorial defeat, ISIS members continue to carry out sporadic attacks in areas where the group remains active and pose a security threat in countries abroad through independent or small-group attacks.