The newly released video of Omar al-Bayoumi, identified by the FBI as a Saudi intelligence agent, has reignited the debate over Saudi Arabia’s possible involvement in the 9/11 attacks. This footage, unsealed due to court action by families of 9/11 victims, shows Bayoumi filming key locations in Washington, D.C., including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol’s security details, three months before the attacks. He refers to a “plan” while filming cars outside an unidentified building.
The video, discovered in Bayoumi’s Birmingham, UK, flat after 9/11, was initially found by UK investigators and later handed to the FBI. Alongside the footage, an address book containing contact details of Saudi government officials was also found. Bayoumi has long been linked to 9/11 hijackers Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, allegedly providing them substantial support upon their arrival in the U.S. An FBI report declassified in March 2022 suggested a “50/50 chance” that Bayoumi had foreknowledge of the 9/11 attacks. Another declassified report indicated he communicated with a key logistics facilitator for Osama bin Laden whenever he assisted the hijackers.
Saudi Arabia has consistently denied involvement or support for the 9/11 attacks, as has Bayoumi. The Saudi government has sought to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the victims’ families, with oral arguments scheduled for this summer. Official statements and reports from the FBI have maintained that there is no credible evidence linking Bayoumi to violent extremism or knowingly aiding extremist groups, a conclusion also reflected in the 2004 9/11 Commission report.
Despite these official positions, the release of the video has prompted renewed scrutiny and legal actions from the victims’ families, who argue that the footage, among other evidence, suggests a deeper Saudi connection to the 9/11 plot. The situation has also sparked controversy over the FBI’s stance on the unsealing of 9/11 evidence. The Department of Justice and FBI have expressed concerns about releasing such material without a thorough review, aligning with the Saudi government’s position. This development has surprised and frustrated the victims’ families, who continue to seek transparency and accountability.
The enduring complexities and sensitivities surrounding the 9/11 attacks, the pursuit of justice for the victims, and the geopolitical implications of these new details underscore the profound impact of this newly surfaced evidence.
