A Kenyan man is accused of planning a 9/11-style attack.Cholo Abdi Abdullah is on trial for plotting to hijack a plane and crash it into a US building. He reportedly trained in the Philippines to prepare for this attack. He is currently facing multiple terrorism charges that could result in a 20-year or life sentence.
Terror Threat Resurfaces
Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a Kenyan national, is currently on trial in New York for allegedly plotting a 9/11-style attack on the United States, serving as a stark reminder that the threat of terrorism remains constant. Abdullah, who was arrested in the Philippines in 2019, is accused of training as a pilot with the intent of hijacking a commercial plane and crashing it into a building on American soil.
The case has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community, evoking memories of one of the darkest days in American history. Abdullah’s alleged ties to al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group based in East Africa, highlight the global scope of the terror threat confronting the United States.
Kenyan Man Charged with Plotting 9/11-style Attack on US https://t.co/xjF216WkNz
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) December 17, 2020
Plot Details Emerge
Prosecutors claim that Abdullah’s plan was meticulously crafted over four years. During this time, he allegedly studied pilot training, researched ways to breach cockpit doors, and identified potential targets such as American skyscrapers. Security experts have expressed concern about the alleged plot’s level of detail.
“This chilling callback to the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, is a stark reminder that terrorist groups like al Shabaab remain committed to killing U.S. citizens and attacking the United States.” – Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss
Abdullah’s arrest in the Philippines, where he was undergoing pilot training, most likely averted a disastrous attack. Filipino authorities discovered bomb-making equipment in his possession at the time of his arrest, emphasizing the gravity of the threat.
AUSA: He enrolled in flight school. He stayed in it for more than a year. He tried to get a job with a US airline.
[Defendant Cholo Abdullah is sitting slumped in his chair at defense table, in a tan MDC-Brooklyn prison jacket. 2 of his 3 stand-by lawyers there— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) October 29, 2024
Legal Proceedings Underway
The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, has taken an unusual turn because Abdullah has decided to represent himself. According to reports, he has kept a low profile in court, pleading not guilty but taking little active part in his defense.
Abdullah faces serious charges, including providing material support to a terrorist organization and conspiring to murder Americans. If convicted, he faces at least 20 years in prison, with the possibility of life.
International Cooperation Crucial
This case highlights the ongoing importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The successful disruption of Abdullah’s alleged plot required cooperation between US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, and counterparts in the Philippines and Kenya.
As the trial moves forward, it serves as a sobering reminder of the pervasive threat of terrorism and the importance of remaining vigilant. The case against Abdullah demonstrates that, while methods may change, the intent to harm American citizens remains a serious threat to national security.
Sources:
- Terror Plotter Took Flight Training to Prepare for 9/11-Style Attack, Feds Say
- Prosecutor tells jury of 9/11-style plot thwarted in the Philippines
