Osama bin Laden was a Saudi-born militant leader who founded the terrorist organization al-Qaeda. He became notorious for orchestrating deadly attacks against the United States and other Western targets, most notably masterminding the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which killed nearly 3,000 people. He opposed U.S. military presence in the Middle East and declared war on the United States, leading to numerous terrorist attacks, including embassy bombings in East Africa and the bombing of the USS Cole. Bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs during a raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011.
Background and Rise
- Born in 1957 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bin Laden came from a wealthy family.
- He joined the Afghan mujahideen against Soviet forces in the 1980s, using his wealth to support fighters.
- Founded al-Qaeda in 1988 to promote global jihad through violence.
- Expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1991 due to his extremist views and opposition to the Saudi government's alliance with the U.S.
Terrorist Activities
- Responsible for planning and supporting multiple attacks including:
- The 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
- Bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa (1998).
- The USS Cole bombing (2000).
- The September 11, 2001 attacks.
Death
- Killed in a covert operation by U.S. forces on May 2, 2011, in Pakistan.
- His death was a major event in the global fight against terrorism.
Bin Laden remains a symbol associated with terrorism and global jihadism.
