History of al-Qaeda and Terrorism against the USA

What is al-Qaeda? Al Qaeda means “the Base.” It is a stateless (meaning without a country) terrorist organization. It is led and financed by Osama bin Laden, a radical Sunni Muslim.

When did al- Qaeda form? The beginnings of al-Qaeda go back to the 1980’s when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

Bin Laden, and the Arab Afghans, fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan The Soviet army left in 1988.

Desert Storm (Gulf War I) In 1990, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded the tiny, oil-rich country of Kuwait

US and Saudi coalition The United States asked the Saudis for permission to establish military bases in their country.

Saudi’s choice Osama bin Laden, back home from Afghanistan, offered the Saudis the use of his soldiers to fight the Iraqi army because Infidel armies have no place in the holy land of Islam.

Saudis chose the USA and snubbed bin Laden.

1991--Bin Laden leaves Saudi Arabia for Sudan

USA in Somalia Dec. 4, 1992, George H.W. Bush sends 28,000 American troops to Somalia. Bush wanted to help the Somali people since all attempts to send food to them were intercepted by war lords.

Black Hawk Down! In 1993, 18 Americans died when their Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia. al-Qaeda operatives taught the Somali militia how to shoot down helicopters just like they did in Afghanistan against the Soviets.

1993-The 1 st World Trade Center bombing

It killed 6 people and injured over 1000.

May Sudan expels bin Laden, and he returns too Afghanistan

Afghanistan Was Run by the Taliban, A Violent Local, Afghanistan Group Led By Mullah Omar

1996 car bombing of Khobar Towers 19 Americans were killed and hundreds injured.

In August of 1998, Al Qaeda, led by bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri declare war on American.

Embassy bombings: 1998 Two American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed simultaneously. 220 people were killed.

Clinton responds President Clinton, risking “Wag the Dog” criticism during the Lewinsky scandal, decided to attack al Qaeda in response.

US sends missiles against Qaeda training camps in Sudan and Afghanistan----to little effect.

2000—Millennium Attacks Foiled! Jordanian police halted 4 bombings Four al Qaeda terrorists arrested, crossing cross the Canadian border with nitroglycerin in his trunk. They set out to bomb LA International Airport. In Yemen, a boat with explosives tried to bomb a navy ship but sank due to being overloaded

USS Cole attack Oct In Yemen, Al Qaeda operatives sent a suicide bomber aboard a small ship near the USS Cole and detonated its bomb, blowing a large hole in the US Navy ship. 17 sailors killed.

World Trade Centers – Flights 11 & 175

Pentagon – Flight 77

Flight 93

2819 people were killed 343 firefighters and paramedics were killed Khalid Sheik Muhhamad was the central planner of the 9/11. Most terrorists (at right) were from Saudi Arabia.

The Taliban Did Not Plan the 9/11 Attacks, But They Let bin Laden Operate in Afghanistan and Refused to Turn Him Over to the US

May 2, Death of Osama bin Laden US Special Forces went into Pakistan and killed bin Laden at his hide out, miles away from Pakistan’s military school