The FBI has put out a call for information on the whereabouts of Hamza Al Ghamdi, a close associate of Usama bin Laden who played significant roles within al Qaeda and served as bin Laden’s personal bodyguard. Ghamdi is wanted for questioning in connection with his alleged membership in al Qaeda, as well as for his participation in terrorist attacks in Tajikistan in the early 1990s and operating an al Qaeda guesthouse in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is believed to be currently in Afghanistan, possibly near the border with Pakistan, and the State Department is offering a $5 million reward for his capture.
Ghamdi, a native of Saudi Arabia, fought alongside bin Laden against Russian troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s and participated in the last battle of Tora Bora in December 2001, a U.S. military operation aimed at capturing or killing bin Laden. Despite his long history with al Qaeda and connections to senior leaders like Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was killed in a 2022 U.S. drone strike, Ghamdi has remained elusive due to operating in non-permissive locations. The FBI believes he has information relevant to ongoing investigations into al Qaeda operations and attacks over the past 20 years.
President Biden noted the significance of Zawahiri’s death in degrading al Qaeda’s ability to operate and emphasized his role in various terrorist attacks against the U.S., including the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen. Despite the passage of 23 years since the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI is still actively seeking justice for the victims by pursuing those who pose a threat to national security. Acting assistant director Christie M. Curtis affirmed the agency’s ongoing commitment to apprehending individuals like Ghamdi who seek to harm the United States.
The FBI has clarified that Hamza Al Ghamdi is not the same individual as one of the terrorists on the United Airlines Flight 175 that was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Tony Molloy, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York, stressed the importance of taking individuals like Ghamdi off the “global jihad battlefield” to enhance national security and keep the public safe. The FBI’s continued pursuit of those associated with al Qaeda illustrates its unwavering dedication to bringing perpetrators of terrorist acts to justice.
The search for Hamza Al Ghamdi highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to track down individuals involved in extremist organizations like al Qaeda, even after many years have passed since the initial attacks. Ghamdi’s close ties to bin Laden and his role in various conflicts and attacks demonstrate the level of threat posed by individuals associated with international terrorist groups. With the backdrop of the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the pursuit of Ghamdi serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of continued vigilance and action by law enforcement agencies.
The FBI’s call for information on Ghamdi reflects the agency’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for past acts of terrorism and prevent future attacks. Ghamdi’s involvement with al Qaeda and connections to senior leaders within the organization underscore the significance of tracking down individuals who pose a threat to national security. By appealing to the public for information on Ghamdi’s whereabouts and offering a reward for his capture, the FBI is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring justice for the victims of terrorist attacks and enhancing the security of the United States and its citizens.
