US Declassifies 9/11 Terror Documents... Details Saudi Nationals' Terror Support Activities

Published 12 Sep.2021 13:31(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declassified and released documents related to the investigation of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the 11th (local time), CNN reported.

According to the report, the FBI documents released on the 20th anniversary of the attacks stated that Saudi Arabian Omar al-Bayoumi was deeply involved in providing travel, lodging, and financial support to at least two of the 9/11 hijackers. The documents detailed various connections and eyewitness testimonies regarding al-Bayoumi.

The FBI suspected al-Bayoumi, a university student in the Los Angeles area, of being a Saudi intelligence agent or a Saudi consulate official. Previously, the U.S. Congressional 9/11 investigation panel also claimed that al-Bayoumi was either a Saudi intelligence agent or had supported the hijackers.

Victims and families of the 9/11 attacks have long demanded the release of documents related to suspicions of Saudi government involvement in 9/11. Last month, about 1,800 victims' families and others expressed opposition to President Biden attending this year's 9/11 memorial ceremony if the documents were not declassified. On the 3rd, President Joe Biden instructed the Department of Justice and others to review the declassification of documents related to the 9/11 investigation.

The U.S. government has previously outlined some relationships between certain Saudi nationals and the hijackers but has not clearly stated whether Saudi Arabia was directly involved. The Saudi government has denied any connection.

In the United States, on September 11, 2001, the terrorist organization al-Qaeda attacked the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., killing about 3,000 people. Then-President George Bush declared a war on terror, invaded Afghanistan, which had sheltered al-Qaeda, and toppled the Taliban regime. However, the war continued as the Taliban retreated to mountainous areas.

With President Biden completing the withdrawal of U.S. troops on the 31st of last month, the longest overseas war for the United States has come to an end.