The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish network of fighters, has apprehended jihadist Mohammed Haydar Zammar in connection with planning and recruiting 9/11 hijackers to al-Qaeda, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said.
Zammar, a Syrian-born German, has been in custody for more than a month and was under interrogation after being captured in northern Syria, a senior Kurdish commander said, Fox News reported.
Anti-ISIS forces in Syria have detained a Syrian-born German man suspected of recruiting some of the 9/11 hijackers to Al Qaeda, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the detainee, identified as Mohammed Haydar Zammar, more… https://t.co/kpl0RFr17J— Jose A. Freire, M.D. (@JAFreire_MD) April 20, 2018
The official 9/11 Commission Report stated that Zammar was an “outspoken, flamboyant Islamist” who extolled “the virtues of violent jihad,” according to the Pentagon.
After the 9/11 attacks, Zammar relocated to Morocco. Soon after, he was involved in a CIA operation and arrested.
Zammar was turned over to authorities in Syria and sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2007. His charges included being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Once the Syrian civil war erupted, countless extreme jihadists and Islamists were released from prison, including Zammar.
Zammar and many others joined ISIS shortly after, although it is unknown if Zammar actively fought in Syria in the name of ISIS.
