Victim families say it has ‘taken way too long’ to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for alleged support on 9/11

Terry Strada, whose husband died in the 9/11 attacks, expressed frustration that it has "taken way too long" to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its alleged support of the terrorists. A civil lawsuit alleging Saudi Arabia's complicity is moving toward trial after a federal judge rejected the kingdom's attempt to dismiss the claims. The judge found that an imam and an accountant employed by Saudi Arabia likely had links to supporting al-Qaida members who came to the U.S. for flight training. Saudi Arabia denies any role in the attacks and claims to have helped combat terrorism. Strada remains hopeful for justice, citing recent evidence that she believes strengthens the case against the kingdom.

Twenty-five years after 9/11, questions persist about the FBI's handling of Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi graduate student who provided assistance to two of the hijackers in San Diego. Arrested in England at the FBI's request, evidence seized from Bayoumi deepened suspicions, yet much of it was not made public for years or shared with field agents. Despite evidence suggesting Bayoumi worked with Saudi officials and clerics tied to al-Qaeda, the FBI maintained he was not a suspect and had met the hijackers by chance. 9/11 families are demanding answers about the evidence and why Saudi individuals were not more aggressively pursued. The FBI's initial investigation and subsequent handling of seized materials have been criticized for obscuring Bayoumi's potential role and connections.