Kenyan man is convicted of plotting a 9/11-style attack on the US

A Kenyan man has been convicted in a U.S. federal court for plotting a 9/11-style attack against American targets on behalf of the terrorist group al-Shabab. Cholo Abdi Abdullah, 30, was found guilty on all six counts of conspiring to hijack an aircraft and use it to strike a building. The conviction, delivered by a federal jury in Manhattan, marks a significant victory for U.S. law enforcement in their efforts to combat international terrorism.

Abdullah’s trial began last week, and he represented himself throughout the proceedings. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Abdullah declined to make an opening statement and chose not to actively cross-examine witnesses. According to court documents, Abdullah expressed a clear intention to avoid participating in his defense, stating that he did not consider the U.S. legal system legitimate. He planned to accept whatever outcome the court delivered.

The trial’s closing arguments wrapped up on Thursday, with federal prosecutors making their case that Abdullah had meticulously planned the attack over several years. They described how he had received extensive training in explosives and covert operations, preparing himself for the violent mission he hoped to carry out. Abdullah’s training began in Somalia with al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate that the U.S. government has designated as a foreign terrorist organization since 2008. The group has fought for years to establish an Islamic state in Somalia governed by strict Sharia law.

According to prosecutors, Abdullah’s plotting took a more structured turn in 2017 when he moved to the Philippines to pursue pilot training. By that time, he had already spent years learning about explosives, secretive operations, and how to avoid detection by authorities. He enrolled in a two-year commercial pilot program, and by 2019, he was nearing the completion of his training when he was arrested by local law enforcement on unrelated charges.

After his arrest, Abdullah was transferred to U.S. authorities, who charged him with a range of terrorism-related offenses, including attempting to hijack an aircraft. Prosecutors stated that Abdullah was specifically focused on hijacking a commercial airplane, which he intended to crash into a prominent building in the U.S., mirroring the tactics used by the 9/11 terrorists.

Further investigations revealed that Abdullah had researched crucial details about the U.S., including how to breach a cockpit door and the location of major American landmarks, specifically “the tallest building in a major U.S. city.” Prosecutors also noted that Abdullah had actively sought out information on aviation operations and was close to being fully qualified as a pilot by the time of his arrest.

Abdullah’s plot was reportedly carried out under the orders of al-Shabab, a terror group known for its brutal attacks in East Africa and its links to al-Qaeda. The group’s main objective has been to impose a strict interpretation of Sharia law across Somalia and beyond, and it has carried out multiple high-profile attacks over the years, including bombings and assaults on government buildings, schools, and foreign diplomats.

The U.S. government has been particularly vigilant about preventing terrorist organizations like al-Shabab from carrying out attacks on American soil. Abdullah’s case is part of an ongoing effort to crack down on individuals who seek to carry out such plots against the U.S. and its allies. Despite Abdullah’s self-representation and limited participation in the trial, the jury found ample evidence to convict him on all charges.

Abdullah is scheduled for sentencing in March 2024. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, with the possibility of a much longer sentence given the severity of the crime. His conviction sends a clear message about the U.S. commitment to holding individuals accountable for attempting to harm its citizens and interests, whether they are located abroad or within the country’s borders.

The conviction also highlights the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabab and similar terrorist groups. While U.S. authorities have successfully disrupted many plots over the years, the case serves as a reminder of the complex and ever-evolving nature of global terrorism, as well as the continued need for vigilance and international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

As Abdullah prepares for sentencing, the case will likely prompt further discussions about the challenges of defending against transnational terrorism, the risks posed by foreign extremist groups, and the importance of maintaining robust security measures both at home and abroad.