Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s 9/11 Role Was ‘a Surprise’ to U.S. Intelligence
Summary
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the main planner of the 9/11 attacks, used multiple fake identities and passports to travel and plan terrorist activities. Despite some intelligence connections, U.S. agencies did not fully recognize his role before 9/11, and he even obtained a U.S. visa under a false name months before the attacks.Key Facts
- KSM applied for an Australian visa using a fake Saudi passport and alias Abdulrahman al Ghamdi on August 13, 2001, but never used it.
- He obtained a U.S. tourist/business visa on June 23, 2001, under the same false identity.
- KSM grew up in Kuwait, studied in the U.S., and fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan.
- After Afghanistan, he helped organize terrorist plots including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and a 1995 airliner bombing plan in the Philippines.
- He was indicted by U.S. authorities in 1996 but escaped capture after an attempted rendition failed.
- U.S. intelligence focused on tracking his location but missed his operational role within al-Qaeda.
- KSM coached the “Hamburg three” terrorists in the U.S. who carried out the 9/11 attacks.
- The intelligence community had some information linking KSM to attacks but did not detect his full involvement before 9/11.
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