\\Kenyan Man Convicted of Plotting 9/11-Style Attack on U.S.\\

In a landmark case, a federal jury in Manhattan on Monday convicted Kenyan national Cholo Abdi Abdullah on all six counts of plotting a 9/11-style attack on a U.S. target on behalf of the terrorist organization al-Shabab. Abdullah, who is set to be sentenced next March, faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison for his role in the plot, which involved plans to hijack an aircraft and crash it into a U.S. building.

Details of the Conviction\\

Abdullah, 30, represented himself during the trial but opted for a passive defense strategy, declining to deliver an opening statement or question witnesses. Prosecutors stated that Abdullah viewed the American judicial system as illegitimate, and thus, he did not actively participate in his own defense. Lawyers assigned to support him in this self-representation declined to comment on the verdict.

A Detailed Plan Years in the Making\\

Federal prosecutors presented evidence that Abdullah spent at least four years planning the attack. During this time, he underwent extensive training in explosives, covert operations, and evading detection. In 2017, he moved to the Philippines to train as a commercial pilot, nearly completing his two-year course by 2019. Prosecutors revealed that he had researched ways to breach cockpit doors and had investigated “the tallest building in a major U.S. city.”

Abdullah’s arrest in the Philippines on local charges in 2019 thwarted his plans. U.S. law enforcement authorities later took custody of him and formally charged him with terrorism-related offenses in 2020.

Al-Shabab's Role and Influence\\

Al-Shabab, an extremist group with close ties to al-Qaeda, has been responsible for numerous attacks across East Africa. Its mission is to establish an Islamic state in Somalia governed by Shariah law. Designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2008, al-Shabab has continually sought to expand its reach beyond Somalia. Abdullah's case marks one of the group’s most direct threats against the U.S. to date, underscoring the global scope of its influence and the enduring need for vigilance against international terrorism.

A Verdict with Global Implications\\

The conviction of Abdullah is a sobering reminder of the ongoing global threat posed by extremist organizations. This case demonstrates that, despite being based in Somalia, al-Shabab has the resources and reach to inspire attacks on U.S. soil. The trial also highlights the importance of international cooperation in combatting terrorism; authorities across several nations played a role in bringing Abdullah to justice.

With Abdullah’s sentencing scheduled for next March, his conviction stands as a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism. It is a stark reminder of the risks posed by those trained to harm and the enduring importance of collaboration between nations to prevent such plots from coming to fruition.