Judge allows 9/11 victims' families to sue Saudi Arabia

A federal judge has allowed the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 to sue Saudi Arabia with a case that alleges the kingdom supported the al-Qaeda hijackers.

The judge ruled that Saudi Arabia can face a civil lawsuit and dismissed the Middle Eastern country's motion to dismiss it, meaning the suit can proceed.

This latest ruling is the newest update in a long-running lawsuit which is attempting to hold the Saudi government liable for al-Qaeda's attacks on 11 September 2001.

The horrific terrorist attacks saw two planes hijacked by al-Qaeda plummet into the two World Trade Centre Twin Tower buildings and were said to have claimed the lives of over 2,700 people.

And now, more than two and a half decades on, the victims' families have called this new ruling 'the most consequential step yet,' as reported by ABC News.

Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied claims surrounding their involvement since 2003, and attorneys for the kingdom have previously argued that because it's a sovereign state, it's immune from civil litigation in US courts.

The victims' families have described the ruling as a 'powerful step toward justice' (Anadolu / Getty Images)

But things have taken a turn as US District Judge George Daniels outlined that the families' lawsuit provided 'reasonable evidence' that two Saudi Arabian citizens - Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy - were sent by their government to America to assist the hijackers.

Judge Daniels said: "KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] did not proffer sufficient evidence to the contrary."

Adding: "Although KSA attempts to offer seemingly innocent explanations or context, they are either self-contradictory or not strong enough to overcome the inference that KSA had employed Bayoumi and Thumairy to assist the hijackers."

The lawsuit alleges that Saudi Arabian government agents provided 'an essential support network' for the hijackers.

And in his ruling, Daniels outlined that Bayoumi 'seemed to serve as a connecting point between the hijackers and many other people who had provided assistance to the hijackers at one point or another,' reports the New York Times.

Brett Eagleson, who is the president of 9/11 Justice, a coalition of the families, said the ruling gives them the chance to 'pursue accountability, justice, and closure'.

The 2001 attacks claimed the lives of over 2,700 people.(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

He said: "We have presented overwhelming evidence that the Kingdom is complicit in the 9/11 attacks, and a federal judge agrees.

"Now, we are prepared to present even more evidence showing that Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans.”

And Terry Strada, who chairs a similar group, 9/11 Families United, said in a statement to The Guardian: “Today’s decision is another powerful step toward justice. For nearly a quarter-century, the 9/11 families have sought accountability for the support and resources that helped make the attacks possible.

"Judge Daniels’ ruling makes clear that Saudi Arabia cannot escape responsibility through procedural maneuvers. We are prepared to move forward and present the full scope of evidence in court, so that the truth is undeniable and justice is finally delivered.”