On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists killed 2,977 people in coordinated
attacks on U.S. soil. In the attacks, which were orchestrated by Osama b


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CEP Statements Ahead Of 20th Anniversary Of 9/11

 

(New York, N.Y.) – On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda
<[link removed]> terrorists killed 2,977
people in coordinated attacks on U.S. soil. In the attacks, which were
orchestrated byOsama bin Laden
<[link removed]>, 19 men hijacked
four commercial airplanes, deliberately crashing two of the planes into the
World Trade Center and a third into the Pentagon. After learning about the
other hijackings, passengers of the fourth plane fought back, and the plane was
crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania.

 

The Counter Extremism Project’s (CEP) senior leadership released the following
statements, honoring those who gave their lives to save others and reflecting
on 9/11’s long-term impacts on U.S. and international security 20 years later:

 

CEP President Frances F. Townsend

Former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor

 

“The long-term effects of 9/11 are still unfolding today, as the U.S.
government works to curb terrorist threats emanating from the homeland and
internationally. The tragic attacks from 20 years ago are a reminder that our
military, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement communities must be
unyielding in the ongoing effort to disrupt and destroy terror networks. We
honor those who have served to preserve American safety and security. The
victims of that day and the families that they left behind as well as the
heroic policeman and firefighters who still suffer the after effects must ever
remain our inspiration to be committed, vigilant, and continue the fight.”


CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for Management and Reform

 

“Terrorism did not begin nor end with the tragedy of September 11. However,
the attacks showed that groups like al-Qaeda are highly motivated to attack the
United States on its territory. Recent events in Afghanistan have ignited
concerns that the country will once again become a sanctuary to jihadist
groups, which could plot and direct attacks against the U.S. and its allies.
There is still much work to do to combat terrorists and the regimes that enable
or harbor them.”



CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler

Former Coordinator, ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban Monitoring Team, U.N.
Security Council



“The September 11 attacks brought to the forefront questions about who funds,
harbors, arms, and trains terror groups, and what the international community
can do about it. International and regional bodies like the United Nations, the
European Union, or the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have a duty to
respond to these persistent threats and to continuously develop and adjust
their capacities to meet emerging terrorism challenges and evolving financing
methods. In this regard, private industry also plays a key role and has to
share the burden. Failure to do so would allow terror groups to access key
financial resources, weapons, and advanced training to stage and carry out
attacks.”

 

CEP Advisory Board Member Ambassador Nathan A. Sales

Former U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism


“As we remember those who lost their lives in the attacks 20 years ago, we
must remain vigilant against today’s terrorist threats. Our terrorist enemies
have evolved since 9/11, and the U.S. government must continue to use all tools
of national power—diplomatic, economic, military, and others—to stay well ahead
of them. Our leaders have no greater responsibility than to defend America and
protect us all.”

 

The 9/11 terror attacks provoked the U.S. to fight against al-Qaeda in
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other sanctuaries worldwide. Since then, however,
the group has established five major regional affiliates pledging their
official allegiance to al-Qaeda: in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, East
Africa, Syria, and the Indian subcontinent.

 

In addition to directing and carrying out the 9/11 attacks, al-Qaeda is
responsible for terrorist atrocities including the 1998 bombings of the U.S.
embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, the 2002 Bali bombing, the 2003 Saudi Arabia
bombings, the 2004 Madrid bombing, and the 2005 London bombing. Al-Qaeda is
also responsible for several failed operations, including the 2009 Christmas
Day plane bombing attempt, the 2010 Times Square bombing attempt, and the 2010
cargo plane bombing attempt.

 

To read CEP’s resource, Al-Qaeda, please click here
<[link removed]>.

 

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