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Rise of Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda was a terrorist group that was led by Osama bin Laden and was formed in 1988. It was increasingly becoming hostile toward U.S. policies in the Middle East, particularly U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia following the 1991 Gulf War. -
First World Trade Center Bombing
A truck bomb was detonated in the underground parking garage of the North Tower of the Twin Towers in NYC. The explosion killed 6 people, and injured over 1,000. However, this attack was small compared to what was to come. -
U.S. Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania
Two nearly simultaneous truck bombings targeted the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The attacks killed 224 people, including 12 Americans, and injured over 5,000. Most victims being Kenyan civilians near the embassy. -
Osama Bin Laden Declares War on U.S.
Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa calling for attacks on U.S. military and civilian targets in response to U.S. intervention in the Middle East. -
Planned Millennium Attacks: LAX
Ahmed Ressam, a member of al-Qaeda, was arrested in the Canada border after attempting to enter the U.S. with explosives in his car. He planned to bomb Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the New Year's Eve celebrations. -
Planned Millennium Attacks: Jordan
The authorities in Jordan arrested 28 individuals in Amman. This prevented a series of bombings targeting hotels, religious sites, and tourist locations that were common among the Americans. This was part of a wider plot coordinated by al-Qaeda. -
Planned Millennium Attacks: Yemen
Al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen tried to attack the USS The Sullivans in Aden harbor by loading a boat with explosives. But the attack failed because they had too many explosives that the ship sank. This later led to the attacks of the USS Cole. -
Planned Millennium Attacks: Boston
Information from the previous Jordanian arrests revealed a planned bombing of a hotel in Boston where a lot of Jewish tourists were staying. This plot was also linked to the larger conspiracy. -
USS Cole Bombing
The USS Cole is a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer and was docked in Aden, Yemen, for refueling. Then, it was attacked by suicide bombers in a small boat filled with explosives just like the attack that failed previously. The explosion tore a large hole in the side of the ship. This attack killed 17 American sailors and injured 39 others. The attack was later attributed to al-Qaeda and is considered one of the deadliest attacks on a U.S. naval vessel since World War II. -
Terror on September 11
On this day, there were four coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on U.S. soil. The targets included the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and an attempted attack in Pennsylvania (Flight 93). This attack led to the start of the War on Terror by the U.S. and the invasion of Afghanistan. This day was detrimental to the people of the U.S.. -
U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan
After the attacks on 9/11, the U.S. aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban completely. Operation Enduring Freedom began with airstrikes followed by ground forces. Eventually the Taliban regime had collapsed, but the insurgency continued for some time. -
U.S. Invasion of Iraq
Because of claims that Iraq had possession of world destructive weapons, the U.S. invaded Iraq and ended Saddam Hussein's regime. -
Capture of Saddam Hussein
Saddam was captured near Tikrit after months of evasion from Iraq. His trial by the Iraqi crimes group led to his execution in 2006. His removal worsened violence and power struggles in Iraq. -
Madrid Train Bombings
This was an attack also planned by al-Qaeda and was a coordinated bombing on commuter trains. As a result, 191 people were killed, and over 2,000 were injured. The attack resulted Spain’s withdrawal of troops from Iraq. -
London Bombings
This attack was a suicide bombing that attacked London’s transport system. It killed 52 and injured over 700. Linked to al-Qaeda, this was Britain’s deadliest terrorist attack since 1988. This led to increased tensions across Europe. -
Surge in Iraq
The U.S. President at this time (George W. Bush) announced a troop surge to combat growing insurgency. Over 20,000 additional troops was deployed primarily to Iraq. Marked a turning point that reduced violence; however, it was still unstable. -
Death of Osama bin Laden
U.S. Navy SEALs killed the al-Qaeda leader in a raid where he was hiding in Pakistan. His death marked a symbolic victory in the War on Terror.
Al-Qaeda remained operational, but its leadership definitely was weakened. -
Rise of ISIS
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was a rising terrorist group as a result of previous events. Brutal tactics and rapid expansion shocked the world and it drew international military responses. This still exists to this day. -
U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan
The soldiers that were deployed returned after nearly 20 years of conflict. The Taliban quickly regained control of Afghanistan and started sparking chaos and humanitarian crises again. Marked the official end of the U.S. military involvement, but uncertainty remains in the region.