Tuesday 15 September 2026
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9/11 victims' families say it has 'taken way too long' to hold Saudi Arabia accountable

As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks is observed, a lawsuit alleging Saudi support for the hijackers moves toward trial

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The leader of a coalition representing 9/11 victims' families has said it has 'taken way too long' to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its alleged support of the terrorists who carried out the attacks, as the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, was observed across the US on Friday.

Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, said she feels as if it has 'been several lifetimes' for progress toward 'a modicum of justice through our court system' in connection with the deadliest terror attack on US soil. Strada, whose husband was killed on 9/11, said she remains hopeful as a lawsuit alleging Saudi support for the hijackers edges closer to trial.

The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, but the Saudi government has long denied any involvement. The ongoing civil case was made possible by the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, passed by the US Congress in 2016.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The 25th anniversary marks a moment of reflection, and the families' push for accountability keeps the issue alive after decades.
  • A trial could reveal new evidence about Saudi Arabia's alleged role, potentially reshaping US-Saudi relations.
  • The outcome may set a precedent for holding foreign governments liable for terrorist acts under US law.

Background

The 9/11 attacks, carried out by al-Qaida in 2001, led to a long-running debate over Saudi Arabia's role. The 9/11 Commission found no evidence that senior Saudi officials directly funded the plot, but did document contacts between Saudi government-linked individuals and the hijackers. In 2016, Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) over a presidential veto, allowing victims' families to sue the Saudi government. The current lawsuit has been moving through US courts for years.

Key Perspectives

[9/11 victims' families]: They have sought accountability and transparency for 25 years. Terry Strada's comments reflect frustration at the length of the process but also hope that the coming trial may finally yield answers.

[Saudi government]: Saudi Arabia has consistently denied any role in the attacks. Its legal team has sought to have the case dismissed, arguing sovereign immunity.

[Legal experts and critics]: Some have questioned the strength of the evidence against the Saudi state, while others worry that the case could damage a strategic US-Saudi alliance vital for oil and counterterrorism cooperation.

What to Watch

  • The trial date and any pre-trial rulings on classified evidence.
  • Whether the US government seeks to intervene to block the release of sensitive information.
  • Diplomatic fallout between Washington and Riyadh as the case proceeds.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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