Man linked to 9/11 attacks captured in Syria

Catherine Garcia, The Week US's avatar
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Copies of the 9/11 Commission report.
(Image credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A Syrian-born German national linked to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was captured more than a month ago by U.S.-backed forces in Syria, the Pentagon announced Thursday.

Spokesman Eric Pahon said that Mohammad Haydar Zammar was apprehended by members of the Syrian Democratic Forces as they continue their fight against the Islamic State. In the 9/11 Commission report, Zammar was described as an "outspoken, flamboyant Islamist" who enthusiastically praised "the virtues of violent jihad." He also reportedly said he influenced Mohammed Atta, one of the hijackers, and Ramzi Binalshibh, who is accused of assisting the hijackers and al Qaeda operatives.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US
Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.