Marwan al-Shehhi

Marwan al-Shehhi (May 9, 1978 – September 11, 2001) was an Emirati terrorist hijacker for al-Qaeda. He was the hijacker-pilot on United Airlines Flight 175 (Boeing 767). As part of the September 11 attacks, he crashed the plane into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He was one of five hijackers aboard the aircraft and one of two Emiratis to take part in the attacks, the other being Fayez Banihammad.

Al-Shehhi was a university student in applied sciences from the United Arab Emirates. In 1996, he moved to Germany to study. There, he met Mohamed Atta and Ziad Jarrah, who were also studying. They were later joined by Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and they formed a group that became leaders of the September 11 attacks.

In late 1999, they went to training camps in Afghanistan. They met with Osama bin Laden, who gave them tasks for attacks in the United States. Al-Shehhi arrived in the United States in May 2000. He and others were trained as pilots in Florida.

Al-Shehhi helped make plans for the attack. He traveled to Boston and stayed there before the attack. On September 11, 2001, he boarded United Airlines Flight 175 and helped crash the plane into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He was 23 years old and the youngest hijacker-pilot in the attacks.

Early life

Marwan Yousef Mohamed Rashid Lekrab al-Shehhi was born on 9 May 1978, in Al Qusaidat, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. His father was an Arab imam and his mother was Egyptian.

He grew up in a quiet family and was known as a devoted person. Not much is known about his life in the United Arab Emirates. He belonged to the Shihuh tribe through his father’s side.

Later, he studied in Germany. He joined the University of Bonn after finishing a German course, but had to leave in 1997. He then went to the Technical University of Hamburg in 1998. He struggled with his studies and had to repeat some courses. By July 1999, he returned to Hamburg to study shipbuilding.

Radicalization

Marwan al-Shehhi moved to Hamburg in 1998. He joined a group with Mohamed Atta and Ramzi bin al-Shibh. During this time, his beliefs became stronger and more extreme. They met often to talk about opposing America and planning possible attacks.

In late 1999, al-Shehhi and his group planned to travel to Chechnya. Instead, they went to Afghanistan to meet with Osama bin Laden. After training there, they tried to hide their activities. Al-Shehhi even shaved his beard to seem like he had changed his ways.

In the United States

Al-Shehhi was the first of his group to arrive in the United States, reaching Newark, New Jersey in May 2000. He was soon joined by two others, and together they searched for flight schools. They studied flying in Venice, Florida, practicing on a flight simulator and earning their licenses by December 2000. Their training costs were covered by another person.

After finishing their training, the group traveled abroad during the holiday season. Al-Shehhi visited Morocco and then the United Arab Emirates to see his wife. His family grew worried when they did not hear from him, and after they reported him missing, he contacted them in January 2001 to reassure them he was safe.

Both al-Shehhi and another member had trouble returning to the United States in January because they did not have student visas, but they managed to convince officials to let them stay for more flight training. They traveled between Florida, Georgia, and Virginia during early 2001, sometimes renting planes and staying at different places. By April, they joined two other members at a mosque in Virginia Beach before returning to Florida. Later, al-Shehhi took flights to watch how pilots worked and made final plans for what was to come.

September 11 attacks and death

Main article: United Airlines Flight 175

Marwan al-Shehhi flew from Florida to Boston and stayed in a hotel with three others. The next day, he talked on the phone with someone about their plans.

Early on September 11, al-Shehhi got a call to start the attacks. He and four others got on a plane at Logan International Airport in Boston. The plane took off, and the men took control of the flight. Al-Shehhi flew the plane into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Many people were inside when the tower was hit, and the building fell down later.