The FBI recently called upon the public for information regarding the whereabouts of Hamza Al Ghamdi, a former close associate of Usama bin Laden, due to his alleged involvement with al Qaeda. Ghamdi, who served as a part of bin Laden’s security detail leading up to the 2001 attacks, held significant roles within the terror network, participating in various conflict zones over the years. The FBI has information regarding his involvement in violent Islamic extremist activities dating back to the late 1990s. Ghamdi is wanted for questioning in connection with his membership in al Qaeda, during which he served as bin Laden’s personal bodyguard and held other roles. He has held ties with senior leaders that could be crucial for ongoing investigations into al Qaeda operations and attacks globally over the past two decades.
Ghamdi is a native of Saudi Arabia, like bin Laden, and fought alongside him against Russian troops in Afghanistan during the 1980s. He has been involved in terrorist attacks in Tajikistan in the early 1990s and was known to operate an al Qaeda guesthouse in Kabul, Afghanistan. In December 2001, he was involved in the last battle of Tora Bora, a U.S. military operation aimed at capturing or killing bin Laden, who managed to evade capture until his death in 2011. Ghamdi is believed to be somewhere in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan, making it difficult to locate him for questioning. The State Department is offering a $5 million reward for his capture due to his involvement with senior al Qaeda leaders, including Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Al-Zawahiri played a role in the September 11 attacks and was killed in a 2022 U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan. President Biden noted that his death dealt a significant blow to al Qaeda and degraded the group’s ability to operate, especially against the U.S. homeland. Al-Zawahiri was also responsible for other attacks against the U.S., such as the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen and the 1998 attacks on American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Despite the passage of 23 years since the September 11 attacks, the FBI is still actively seeking those involved in order to achieve justice for the victims. It is crucial to take individuals like Ghamdi off the “global jihad battlefield” in order to ensure the safety of the American people and victims of terrorism.
The FBI clarified that Hamza Al Ghamdi, the associate of Usama bin Laden, is not the same individual as the terrorist with a similar name who was involved in the 9/11 attacks. The agency reiterated the importance of bringing individuals like Ghamdi to justice in order to make progress in the fight against terrorism. The victims of the September 11 attacks deserve justice, and the FBI remains committed to seeking those who pose a threat to national security. The capture and questioning of individuals like Ghamdi are seen as crucial steps in ensuring the safety of the American people and preventing further acts of terrorism. The ongoing efforts of the FBI reflect the agency’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for acts of violence and extremism that threaten the safety and security of the nation.
