Upturned couches, clothing strewn across the floor and pulled-out drawers are the tell tale signs of a police search at an unassuming western Sydney granny flat.
The detached building shares a block with a two-level house and a caravan in Fairfield and is the cosy home to Omar Al-Kutobi, 24, and Mohammad Kiad, 25.
It's also where the two men hatched a plan to kill or harm a member of the public in Islamic State's name, police allege.
Roberto Macatangay, who lives in the caravan, was often invited for dinner at Al-Kutobi and Kiad's modest flat and spoke fondly of the pair.
Mr Macatangay said Al-Kutobi was an Iraqi who received his Australian citizenship last year.
He said Kiad was originally from Kuwait, but had also been granted Australian citizenship, and was reportedly studying nursing and working as a removalist with Al-Kutobi.
Kiad split from his wife last year and moved from Auburn to live with Al-Kutobi.
Other neighbours say counter-terrorism police arrived from all angles on Tuesday and quietly turned the flat - rented for about $200 a week, according to the owner - upside down.
Police allegedly found a machete, a hunting knife and an IS flag.
A video, believed to include one of the men talking about carrying out an attack on Tuesday, was also allegedly discovered.
Al-Kutobi, a student, often spoke about getting a good job and dreamed of bringing his mother and brother to Australia from Iraq.
"We live here as a family," Mr Macatangay said.
Mr Macatangay said he didn't notice anything amiss with the two men before the raid, although sometimes there were arguments.
Social media photos depict Kiad as a keen gym-goer and quotes from designer Coco Chanel hint at an interest in fashion.
Manuel Abello, who also lived on the property, said the two men were private people who rarely had guests.
"They seemed to be very nice. They usually greet me," he said. "They don't mingle much."
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