Nearly 24 years after the September 11 attacks, the families of victims have won an important legal victory in their long pursuit of justice. A U.S. federal judge has rejected Saudi Arabia’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit accusing it of aiding two of the hijackers, allowing the case to move toward trial.
The lawsuit, filed by survivors and relatives of those killed, alleges that Saudi officials Fahad al-Thumairy, a government imam, and Omar al-Bayoumi, an alleged Saudi intelligence agent, provided crucial support to al-Qaida operatives Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar when they first arrived in the United States in 2000. According to court filings, this assistance helped the men settle, integrate, and prepare for what would become the deadliest terrorist attack in American history.
The ruling does not prove the claims but ensures that the case can proceed under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a 2016 law that narrowed foreign sovereign immunity in cases involving terrorism. For many families, the decision marks a breakthrough after years of delays and legal challenges.
Advocates for the families welcomed the ruling, saying it affirms their right to seek accountability. “This is a step closer to truth and justice,” one coalition leader said, emphasizing that the case is about transparency as much as compensation.
For Saudi Arabia, which has long denied any involvement, the ruling adds new strain to its diplomatic standing, particularly as it seeks to deepen economic and political ties with the United States. The kingdom maintains that any links between its citizens and the hijackers were coincidental and not directed by the state.
As the case moves into discovery and potentially trial, it represents a defining moment in the families’ decades-long fight. For them, the outcome is not only about legal victory but also about honoring the memory of their loved ones and ensuring accountability for one of history’s darkest days.