Biographies

Khalid Sheikh Muhammad

The mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, as well as several subsequent plots against American and Western targets worldwide. Masterminded a 2003 plot to smuggle explosives into New York and target gas stations, railroad tracks, and a bridge.

Hambali

Formerly al-Qaeda’s operations chief for SouthEast Asia; helped plan the first Bali bombings in 2002 that killed more than 200. Had longstanding ties to al Qaeda senior operative Khalid Sheikh Muhammad.

Abu Zubaydah

Recruited by Osama Bin Laden to be one of al Qaeda’s senior travel facilitators. Oversaw the ‘Khaldeen group’ camp used to train three of the 9/11 hijackers. At the time of his capture, he was attempting to organize a terrorist attack on Israel.

Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani

One of the FBI’s Most Wanted terrorists. He has been indicted for his role in the 1998 East Africa Embassy bombings, and has forged or altered passports for many al Qaeda’s operatives.

Mustafa al-Hawsawi

One of two key financial facilitators entrusted by 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Muhammad (KSM) to manage the funding for the hijackings. Met with Osama Bin Laden and his top lieutenant soon after the 9/11 attacks.

Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri

Mastermind and local manager of the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole. At the time of his capture, al-Nashiri was orchestrating attacks on U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Walid bin Attash

Alternated between serving as a bodyguard for Osama Bin Laden and participating in combat against the Northern Alliance. Osama Bin Laden reportedly selected him to become a 9/11 hijacker, but he was arrested while attempting to obtain a U.S. visa.

Ramzi Binalshibh

Served as the primary communications intermediary between the 9/11 hijackers and al Qaeda’s leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Lead operative – until his capture in 2002 – in the post-9/11 plot to crash hijacked aircraft into London’s Heathrow Airport.