why did al qaeda attack in 2001

The 2001 attacks by al-Qaeda, notably the September 11 attacks, were motivated by a number of factors including retaliation against U.S. policies and actions perceived as hostile to Muslims and the Islamic world. Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, cited reasons like U.S. support for Israel and its military interventions in Muslim countries, the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, sanctions against Iraq, and support for governments opposing Muslim interests. He framed the attacks as a way to punish and deter what he saw as American oppression and violence against Muslims, particularly referencing earlier conflicts such as the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon as part of the inspiration for targeting the World Trade Center towers. Al-Qaeda also aimed to provoke a broader conflict to rally Muslim support for their cause. Overall, the attacks were seen by al-Qaeda as a retaliatory strike against what they viewed as American imperialism and aggression in the Muslim world.