Ahmed al-Haznawi

Ahmed Ibrahim al-Haznawi al-Ghamdi
Ahmed Ibrahim al-Haznawi al-Ghamdi
Born	October 11, 1980 (age 46); Al-Bahah Province, Saudi Arabia
Died	September 11, 2001 (aged 20)
Occupation(s)	Terrorist, hijacker
Known for	Hijacking United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks

Ahmed Ibrahim al-Haznawi al-Ghamdi (born 11 October 1980, died 11 September 2001) was a Saudi national involved in terrorism and one of the quartet responsible for hijacking United Airlines Flight 93. This flight crashed in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, following a passenger uprising during the September 11 attacks.

In 2000, he departed from his family to join combat efforts in Chechnya and was subsequently chosen by Al-Qaeda to participate in the 9/11 operation. He entered the United States on a tourist visa in June 2001, establishing residence in Florida where he assisted in orchestrating the attacks.

On the day of September 11, al-Haznawi boarded Flight 93 and took part in commandeering the aircraft, aiming to direct it toward the U.S. Capitol. It is believed that either he or fellow hijacker Ahmed al-Nami carried an explosive device onboard. The aircraft ultimately went down after passengers intervened.

Early life

Born to a Saudi imam in Al-Bahah Province, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia, al-Haznawi grew up in the village of Hazna where his father served as a mosque leader. He was a member of the Ghamd tribe, sharing tribal affiliations with other hijackers Saeed al-Ghamdi, Hamza al-Ghamdi, and Ahmed al-Ghamdi. He achieved the status of hafiz by committing the Quran to memory.

This faction was among the most devout of the hijackers and likely convened around 1999.

1999–2000

Despite his father's disapproval, al-Haznawi left his family in 1999 to engage in fighting in Chechnya. His family last received communication from him in late 2000, mentioning training undertaken in Afghanistan.

He was granted a two-year B-1/B-2 U.S. visa on 12 November 2000 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Between late November and late December 2000, he remained in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan, potentially briefing Saeed and Hamza al-Ghamdi about their mission.

Toward the end of 2000, al-Haznawi traveled to the United Arab Emirates where he purchased traveler’s cheques, likely financed by Mustafa al-Hawsawi. Other hijackers including Majed Moqed, Saeed al-Ghamdi, Hamza al-Ghamdi, Wail al-Shehri, and Ahmed al-Nami also obtained traveler’s cheques there.

2001

In March 2001, he resided at a guesthouse in Kandahar alongside three other hijackers. Mohammed Jabarah noted his strong religious devotion and his ability to recite the entire Quran from memory.

Al-Haznawi arrived in Miami on 8 June together with Wail al-Shehri. Around June 2001, he was one of nine hijackers who opened accounts at SunTrust bank with cash deposits. He reportedly shared accommodations with Ziad Jarrah in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; both presented German passports to their landlord who later handed copies over to the FBI.

On 25 June, Jarrah accompanied him to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale for treatment of a laceration on his left calf. Initial media reports speculated this injury might be related to anthrax exposure during the 2001 attacks; however, FBI analysis found no evidence supporting this claim.

Al-Haznawi secured a Florida driver’s license on 10 July and obtained a duplicate on 7 September by filing a change-of-address form. Multiple hijackers held several or out-of-state licenses, possibly as a means to facilitate identity use.

On 5 September, Jarrah and al-Haznawi received their one-way tickets for United Airlines Flight 93. Two days later, all four hijackers assigned to Flight 93 flew from Fort Lauderdale to Newark International Airport via Spirit Airlines.

Attacks

On September 11, 2001, al-Haznawi arrived at Newark International Airport to board United Airlines Flight 93. Although he was selected for enhanced screening under the CAPPS and underwent additional checks, he successfully boarded without any issues; only his checked luggage required further explosive inspection.

Because the flight experienced a delay, the crew and pilot were informed about the earlier hijackings that day and were advised to stay alert. Shortly thereafter, Flight 93 was seized by hijackers.

Phone calls made by passengers revealed that the hijackers wore red bandanas, with one individual claiming to have an explosive device strapped to his body—although some passengers questioned the bomb’s legitimacy. After learning about the fate of the other hijacked flights through phone conversations, passengers organized a revolt. The sounds of a confrontation outside the cockpit indicated that passengers were attempting to overpower a hijacker. Ultimately, hijacker-pilot Ziad Jarrah crashed the aircraft into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, resulting in the deaths of all aboard.

Aftermath

Prior to the FBI’s release of hijacker photographs, Arab News reported that al-Haznawi’s brother denied his involvement, asserting that the published images did not resemble him.

In April 2002, a video titled "The Wills of the New York and Washington Battle Martyrs" was broadcast on Al Jazeera, featuring al-Haznawi speaking under the name al-Ghamdi, likely referring to his tribal lineage. This recording, believed to have been produced in March 2001, included his statement about delivering a "bloodied message" to America. A similar video from Abdulaziz al-Omari appeared in September 2002.

In popular culture

Moroccan actor Omar Berdouni played al-Haznawi in United 93, while Canadian actor Zak Santiago portrayed him in Flight 93.
The 2005 TV movie The Flight That Fought Back dramatizes the passenger revolt on United Airlines Flight 93, with Hugh Mun depicting al-Haznawi.

External links