Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks on the United States, has reportedly agreed to plead guilty, the Defense Department revealed on Wednesday, signifying a significant step towards resolving the prolonged case of the deadly attack that impacted the U.S. and the Middle East region. Alongside Mohammed, his two associates, Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, are anticipated to also enter guilty pleas at the Guantanamo Bay military commission as early as next week. The terms of the plea deal have not been disclosed yet by Pentagon officials, but sources suggest that it includes a guarantee to spare the trio from facing the death penalty.
The decision for a plea agreement with the three men comes over 16 years after they were first prosecuted for their involvement in the al-Qaeda attack, which transpired more than two decades ago. This attack, where hijacked planes crashed into iconic buildings, led to nearly 3,000 fatalities and instigated a series of U.S. military interventions against extremist groups, causing significant transformations in the Middle East and American society.
Terry Strada, the national chair of 9/11 Families United, a group representing families of the attack victims, received news of the plea agreement while attending a civil lawsuit hearing in Manhattan federal court. Strada mentioned that many families have been seeking acknowledgment of guilt from the accused individuals. While she personally hoped for a trial to achieve justice, the plea agreement has dashed her expectations of seeing the culprits face a trial and subsequent punishment.
Describing the attackers as “cowards” for their past and present actions, Strada highlighted the emotional toll on countless relatives who have been waiting for closure on the case.
