September 11 and Al Qaeda

Afghanistan: History The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were traced to Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network based in Afghanistan.

On your Left Side: What do your remember of Sept 11, 2001? Where were you?

Al-Qaeda Defined Al-Qaeda training camp A very complex organization that has been in existence since the late 1980’s Commits acts of violence aimed at America and Western Allies.

1989-95 Birth and Development Al-Qaeda starts in the aftermath of Soviet invasion 1987 By 1989 begins to target America Recruits from across the globe including America No solid base (Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq) 1991-1996 primarily based in Sudan Much soldier training and a system of Hierarchy stabilized (Bin Laden, Deputy, 5 committees)

Conflict with bin Laden Escalates Offers to raise a mujahidin army to defend Saudi Arabia from a potential invasion from Iraq in 1990 Saudi Arabia declines his offer opting instead to accept the assistance of the U.S. and allow American troops (including women soldiers) in Saudi Arabia Moves to Sudan by invitation of the Sudanese government in 1991 Supports several small to medium attacks against Western interests Moves to Afghanistan in 1996 by invitation of the Taliban Cruise missiles fired at al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan to kill bin Laden in 1998

Al-Qaeda’s Strategy Soldiers operate in fast moving light forces. Work in complete secrecy to complete complex strategic strikes. Avoids engagement in conventional fighting (forces are not strong enough) Spreads rumors, fear and discouragement among enemy forces Relies on a force of over 20,000 professionally trained soldiers throughout the world. The organization’s strengths are its’ secrecy extensive influence and planning.

Al Qaeda - Formed in 1988 A. Attacks: 1. World Trade Center – 1993 2. Tanzanian and Kenyan US Embassies – 1998 3. USS Cole – 2000 4. World Trade Center 2001 5. Kenyan Hotel -2002 6. Bali nightclub – 2002 7. Many attacks in Saudi Arabia – 2001-2004 8. Istanbul synagogue and HSBC bank – 2004 B. Goals: 1. to unite Muslims to fight against the U.S. as a way of defeating Israel 2. overthrowing non-Islamic regimes 3. expelling westerners and non- Muslims from Muslim countries 4. merged with Egyptian Islamic Jihad in 2001 5. merged with al-Zarqawi’s group -2004 4. Al Qaeda – 1988 Self explanatory

Al Qaeda (cont.) C. Individuals: 1. Usama bin Laden 2. Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi 3. Ayman al-Zawahiri D. Financing; 1. personal wealth - Usama 2. fund raising –false Muslim and humanitarian charities 3. wealthy Arab sheiks (Saudi Arabia) 4. individuals and businesses 5. the heroin trade 6. Al Qaeda (cont.)

International Front for Jihad against the Jews and Crusaders “The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies─civilians and military─is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it. ” Fatwa issued by Osama bin Laden & Ayman al-Zawahiri on 23 February 1998

Africa Al-Qaeda cells operate in African countries as well. 1998 bombings occurred at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania leaving 200 dead and more than 5,000 people injured. The U.S. responded with missile strikes against terrorist facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan. Bin Laden was based in Sudan from 1991- 1996. Predator drones used to attack terrorist bases in Sudan and Afghanistan.

Osama Bin Laden "I am not afraid of death. I came here to die. Some of my supporters followed me here just to die for the cause of Islam. They are ready to defend me and to kill anyone who thinks of attacking our positions or sites." Osama Bin Laden

Al Qaeda The U.S. government charges that Osama bin Laden heads an international terrorist network called "Al Qaeda," an Arabic word meaning 'the base.'

The link between September 11 and Afghanistan Afghans did not carry out the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Al-Qaeda, a terrorist network operating within Afghanistan and other places, did. Many Afghans expressed their solidarity with the people of the U.S. after Sept. 11. After September 11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama bin Laden. U.S. and NATO forces remain in Afghanistan today. http://www.indiadaily.org/images/9_11_attack.jpg

Al-Qaeda Claims responsibility for attack on USA Taliban lets Al-Qaeda hide out in their county because they are allies.

Al-Qaeda Network

Why did these people want to attack America? According to Bin Laden, he is concerned with American foreign policy towards, and American actions in, the Muslim world US support for Israel in its ongoing theft of Arab land US support for corrupt and repressive regimes in the Muslim world (Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states). Post 9/11, the US has added to an already long list of Muslim grievances by occupying Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Why did these people want to attack America? According to Bin Laden, he has never said that the attacks were, are, or will be because of American freedoms, the rights of our citizens, or even because of our religious differences. He has said that the reasons for the attacks of the past as well as those of the future will be because of the way the US and its allies treat the Muslim World.

Attack on the United States The Destruction: Fuel—The flights were near their start, therefore the tanks were full. Explosions and fires weakened the skyscrapers, and both towers fell within two hours. Pentagon damage confined to only one section of the building. Human Death Toll: about 3,000 All passengers WTC workers/visitors 340 NYC firefighters 60 NYC police officers

American Airlines Flight 11 The hijackers Scheduled route: Boston to LA Aircraft: Boeing 767 Building Hit: North Tower (WTC 1) at 8:46 AM. 92 on board

United Airlines Flight 175 The hijackers Scheduled route: Boston to LA Aircraft: Boeing 767 Building Hit: South Tower (WTC 2) at 9:03 AM. 65 on board

United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the south tower

Map showing the attacks on the World Trade Center (the planes are not drawn to scale).

Diagram of how parts of the airplanes fell to the ground.

American Airlines Flight 77 The hijackers Route: Washington, D.C. (Dulles) to L.A. Aircraft: Boeing 757 Building Hit: Pentagon, Arlington, VA 58 on board

Aerial view of the Pentagon during rescue operations post-September 11 attack

United Airlines Flight 93: “Let’s Roll” The hijackers Scheduled Route: Newark, NJ to San Francisco Aircraft: Boeing 575 Terrorists Target: Speculated to be Washington, D.C. Crash Site: Somerset County, PA 44 on board The passengers revolted against the hijackers, and the aircraft crashed before reaching its intended target.

Crash Site of United Flight 93

2002-03 Regroup and Privatize The full-scale war brought by America was expected Al-Qaeda groups become almost separate working loosely with mother Al-Qaeda (Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Iraq, North Africa and East Africa) Aside from war in Iraq since 2002 groups have made attacks on the US and seven of our allies. (18 major attacks in 11 countries) Each Al-Qaeda group is strengthened by perceived injustices to that country (i.e. radical Egyptians in North Africa)

The Iraq Connection Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is believed to have formed Jama'at al- Tawhid wal-Jihad in Afghanistan during the 1980s May have received some funds from al-Qaeda but operated independently Original objective was to overthrow the Jordanian government and establish an Islamic state Expanded urban guerilla warfare in Iraq to include terrorist tactics also targeting Iraqis Officially merged with al-Qaeda 21 October 2004 (finally providing an al-Qaeda connection to Iraq)

Hiding Out Osama bin Laden evaded capture for almost 10 years. In the mean time the United States had engaged in wars in Iraq (looking for weapons of mass destruction) and in Afghanistan (against the Taliban who supported terrorism). bin Laden was suspected of hiding out in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan.