why was the world trade center targeted

The World Trade Center was targeted primarily by the terrorist group al-Qaeda under the direction of Osama bin Laden. The motivations behind targeting the World Trade Center, a symbol of America's economic power, include retaliation for U.S. support of Israel, the presence of U.S. military bases in Saudi Arabia, sanctions against Iraq, and broader grievances related to America's foreign policies and actions in the Muslim world. Bin Laden sought to punish what he viewed as American oppression and to send a message by attacking symbols of U.S. power, which included the economic hub represented by the Twin Towers. The attacks were intended to cause significant destruction and to provoke fear and political consequences, marking a highly symbolic strike against what al-Qaeda perceived as America’s global dominance and interference in Muslim countries. Bin Laden personally directed these attacks as a form of holy war against the U.S., aimed at deterring American actions perceived as hostile to Muslims and to rally Muslim support for his cause.