Judge Rejects Saudi Arabia’s Bid to End 9/11 Lawsuit and Clears Path for Historic Trial

A Major Turning Point in a Two-Decade Legal Battle

A federal judge in New York has rejected an attempt by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to dismiss a long-running lawsuit filed by survivors of the September 11 terror attacks and families of the victims. The lawsuit alleges that Saudi Arabia provided support to the hijackers in the lead-up to the deadliest attack ever carried out on American soil.

United States District Judge George Daniels ruled that the claims presented by the plaintiffs were strong enough for the case to proceed to trial, ensuring that the legal fight, which has stretched on for years, will continue.

Allegations of Support Networks in the United States

The plaintiffs argue that Saudi officials and representatives were involved in a support network that assisted the 9/11 hijackers as they prepared for the attacks. This network, they say, played a role in helping the hijackers settle, travel, and organize themselves while in the United States prior to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

According to court filings, the government of Saudi Arabia allegedly relied on individuals working in the U.S. to facilitate the attackers’ activities. The lawsuit has singled out two men in particular — Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy — claiming they acted on behalf of the Kingdom.

Individuals at the Center of the Case

Plaintiffs maintain that Fahad al-Thumairy, who served as a diplomat at the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles, acted as a primary point of contact for al Qaeda operatives and the hijackers during their time in California. They allege he worked closely with Omar al-Bayoumi, who has been accused of coordinating a support system that provided critical assistance to the attackers.

Saudi Arabia, however, has rejected these claims. The Kingdom insists that Bayoumi was simply a student involved with a San Diego mosque, where congregants offered hospitality to newcomers who lacked English language skills. Attorneys representing Saudi Arabia have argued that any assistance provided by Bayoumi was minimal, unintentional, and completely innocent.

The Court’s Findings

In his opinion, Judge Daniels stated that Saudi Arabia’s efforts to provide alternate explanations were either contradictory or insufficient to overcome the strong inferences drawn from the evidence. He emphasized that the evidence presented by the plaintiffs suggests a significant probability that Bayoumi and Thumairy played roles in supporting the hijackers and that their actions were tied to their employment with Saudi Arabia.

This ruling ensures that a public trial will take place, where the full scope of evidence will be presented and scrutinized.

Families of Victims Welcome the Ruling

For families who lost loved ones on 9/11, the decision was seen as a major step forward. Leaders of advocacy groups representing victims and survivors have called the ruling a “powerful step toward justice,” expressing determination to continue the pursuit of truth and accountability.

They emphasized that the trial will allow evidence to be examined in open court, offering the opportunity for greater transparency and, potentially, long-awaited closure.

The Larger Context

The September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people, remain the most devastating terrorist assault on the United States. Fifteen of the nineteen hijackers were Saudi citizens. While Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied government involvement, suspicions of complicity have persisted for more than two decades, fueling years of litigation.

The United States government has long maintained that al Qaeda acted independently in planning and carrying out the attacks. However, this lawsuit represents one of the most significant efforts to probe deeper into potential links between the hijackers and Saudi officials.

A Case Moving Toward Trial

This decision does not conclude the case but instead sets the stage for an unprecedented trial. The outcome will determine whether the plaintiffs’ claims of Saudi Arabia’s involvement hold up under public and judicial scrutiny.

For many survivors and families, the ruling represents not just a continuation of a legal battle but a chance to finally confront lingering questions and pursue accountability for the events of September 11, 2001.