Fact-Check Article: The Claim "9/11"
What We Know
The claim regarding "9/11" refers to the September 11 attacks, which were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States on September 11, 2001. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, the attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airliners, which were used as weapons to target significant landmarks, including the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
On that day, two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, leading to their collapse and resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, struck the Pentagon, while the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers. The total death toll from these attacks was 2,977, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in history (Wikipedia, BBC News).
The attacks prompted a significant shift in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, leading to the initiation of the War on Terror and military actions in Afghanistan aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power (History.com).
Analysis
The claim that "9/11" refers to the September 11 attacks is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including the official 9/11 Commission Report, which provides a comprehensive account of the events, motivations, and aftermath of the attacks. The report was produced by an independent, bipartisan commission established by Congress, which adds to its credibility.
Additionally, the Department of Defense's historical account corroborates the details of the attacks, emphasizing their unprecedented nature in U.S. history. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum also provides educational resources that detail the events of that day, further supporting the claim.
While there are numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the events of 9/11, the overwhelming consensus among historians, government reports, and credible news sources is that the attacks were orchestrated by al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. The reliability of these sources is high, given their basis in documented evidence and expert testimony.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim regarding "9/11" accurately reflects the events of September 11, 2001, when coordinated terrorist attacks were executed by al-Qaeda, resulting in significant loss of life and profound changes in U.S. policy. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms the details of the attacks and their historical significance.
Sources
- Historical Office > DOD History > Pentagon > 9/11 Attack
- The Final Report of the 9/11 Commission
- September 11 Attacks - Wikipedia
- 9/11 FAQs | National September 11 Memorial & Museum
- September 11 Attacks: What Happened on 9/11? - BBC News
- September 11 Attacks: Facts, Background & Impact - History.com
- Timeline: The September 11 Terrorist Attacks - Miller Center
- Events of the Day - National September 11 Memorial & Museum