It has recently been revealed in a declassified court filing from the Guantanamo Military Commission, which is hearing cases involving those accused of planning the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City, that two of the hijackers were monitored and possibly recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) prior to these attacks.
The previously redacted document was made public in July 2021 and according to independent researchers, they have received an “unexpurgated” copy of a declaration made by former DEA Special Agent Donald C. Canestraro.
In this declaration, it was discovered that when information about the hijackers’ multiple entry visas into America were not passed on to the FBI, it was because “the CIA was running a long-term intelligence operation” to penetrate Al-Qaeda. Furthermore, CS-23 – a former FBI Special Agent with deep expertise in counter-terrorism and counterintelligence issues – has stated that “the attempt to recruit Al-Hazmi and Al-Mihdhar [two of the hijackers] was an operation directed by the Central Intelligence Agency.”
CS-23 also noted that “the CIA used their relationship with Saudi intelligence services to conduct an operation on U.S. soil” as they are forbidden by law from carrying out such operations domestically.
This raises serious questions about whether or not our government had any knowledge or involvement prior to these devastating terrorist attacks occurring at Ground Zero nearly two decades ago.
As disturbing as this revelation may be, it seems clear that there is evidence pointing towards some form of government involvement leading up to 9/11 . It will be interesting to see what further details come out as investigations into this matter progress further over time.
For now though, all we can do is continue speculating until more facts surrounding this potential scandal are uncovered and made available for public consumption and scrutiny.
The full declaration by Donald C. Canestraro can be seen here.
