-
Al Qaeda Formed
Although the details are hazy, it is believed that Al-Qaeda was established by Osama Bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi national, between 1988 and 1989. Bin Laden had helped recruit Islamic fighters to fend off Soviet invaders. But "Bin Laden continued to look beyond Afghanistan," and, "he decided that the time had come wage jihad against other corrupt rulers," (Coll 204). The US became Al-Qaeda's main enemy after its troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War. -
1993 WTC Bombing
Ramzi Yousef, a Kuwaiti national, carried out Al Qaeda's first real attack on the US by detonatin a car bomb in the underground parking lot of the WTC's North Tower. The bomb killed six people, and "injured one thousand more who worked several floors higher," causing $500 million dollars in damage (Coll 250). Yousef managed to escape to Pakistan before he could be apprehended by US officials. However, in 1995, Pakistinai authorities arrested him, and sent him to the US (Coll 272). -
African Embassy Bombings
Al-Qaeda launched its deadliest attack to date when "two teams of suicide bombers rolled through two sprawling African," capitals; Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Coll 403). "There was no warning" about the attacks, although in the weeks before, the CIA issued a warning about a possible chemical or biological weapon attack by Al-Qaeda, nothing about a suicide bombing was mentioned (Coll 404). 224 people died in the attacks, and bin Laden was put on the FBI's ten most wanted list. -
USS Cole Bombing
On October 12, 2000, an Al Qaeda skiff loaded with explosives detonated beside the USS Cole in the Gulf of Aden, Yemen. The Cole was "a billion dollar command and attack ship," with "relatviely little in defense," (Coll 537). The bomb created a massive crater in the ships hull, and killed 17 US serviceman. Analysts believe that "with just slightly more skilled execution...the bombers would have killed 300 and sent the destroyer to the bottom," (537). -
9/11
The devasting 9/11 attacks were the deadliest (and scariest) terror attacks on US soil. Radical Islamic members of Al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes, and flew them into the WTC, and Pentagon (the fourth plane crashed while passengers tried to subdue the hijackers). The attacks pointed out flaws with US national security, and afterward led to the War on Terror. -
7/7 Bombings
BBC Source
The 7/7 bombing was Al-Qaeda's first major attack in the United Kingdom. Four bombers attacked four separate public transportation units in London, 3 subways, and one bus. 52 people died, and more than 770 were injured in the attack. The 7/7 attacks would be Al-Qaeda's last major attack in the west as many future attacks were foiled before they could be carried out. -
Death of Osama Bin Laden
In 2011, US Navy Seals carried operation Neptune Spear in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The mission was a raid on Osama Bin Laden's suspected hideout. Navy Seals quickly and secretly flew into Pakistan, and and invaded Bin Laden's compound. After a brief firefight, US commandos shot and killed Bin Laden. His body was taken to Afghanistan for identification before being buried at sea. The raid was a major blow to Al Qaeda's network and stability. No major Al Qaeda attack on the west has occured since. -
Bali Bombings
BBC Source
In a very devastating attack, Al-Qaeda bombed an Indonesian nightclub in Bali. A massive explostion from car bomb killed hundreds of people outside the nightclub, after they had been scared out by a minor bomb inside. 202 people died, mostly Australian and Indonesian nationals, with a few dozen other fatalities from other countries. Al Qaeda targeted Australia because they supported the US.
