A Phoenix Field Office Special Agent Spotted bin Laden’s Strategy: New 9/11 Clue
Summary
In August 2001, FBI and other U.S. agencies identified two men, Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, as potential terrorists linked to Osama bin Laden. Despite being watch-listed and flagged as dangerous, the FBI failed to act effectively on this information before the 9/11 attacks. A Phoenix FBI agent had warned months earlier about suspicious flight training by suspected terrorists but his recommendations were ignored.Key Facts
- On August 23, 2001, the FBI requested that al-Mihdhar and al-Hazmi be added to watch-lists to block their entry to the U.S.
- Al-Mihdhar was flagged as "armed and dangerous" in a customs and immigration database by August 31.
- The State Department revoked al-Mihdhar’s visa on September 4 for terrorist activities.
- FBI field offices were asked to search for al-Mihdhar and al-Hazmi, but New York found no evidence and Los Angeles received the request on 9/11.
- A Phoenix FBI agent sent a memo on July 10 warning that bin Laden was sending trainees for flight training in the U.S. to prepare for attacks.
- The Phoenix memo recommended steps like listing flight schools and coordinating intelligence but FBI headquarters did not act on these suggestions before 9/11.
- The three main watch lists used were the State Department’s VISA/VIPER, the TIPOFF no-fly list, and the Treasury Enforcement Communication System for inspections.
- Despite warnings and intelligence, the security agencies did not effectively coordinate to prevent the 9/11 hijackers from training and entering the U.S.
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