-
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
-
Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Islamic muhajadeen fighters, assisted with weapons and money from the CIA, force the withdrawal of Soviet Union soldiers following their invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Osama Bin Laden is one of many fighting against the Soviet Union in the late 1980's. During this time period he starts to plan and grow the al-Queda movement. -
Iraq invades Kuwait
Saddam Hussein launches an invasion of neighboring Kuwait, a tiny, but oil-rich nation. Saudi Arabia fears that they will be invaded next. Bin Laden offers al-Queda fighters to protect Saudi Arabia and fight against the Iraqi army in Kuwait. His offer is rejected as the Saudi Arabian government instead accepts and offer of protection from the United States and allies. -
Operation Desert Storm (Persian Gulf War I)
Coalition forces, led by the United States launch airstrikes against Iraq. Eventually, a ground invasion is launched and the Iraqi army retreats from Kuwait. A cease fire is declared on February 28. Saddam Hussein is able to remain in control of Iraq. -
First World Trade Center Bombing
al-Queda affiliated terrorists detonate a car bomb in the parking garage underneath the North Tower (Tower 1) of the World Trade Center - 6 people are killed and 1,000 + are injured. -
Battle of Mogadishu/Black Hawk Down
US Army Rangers attempt to capture top assistants to Somali war-lord Mohamad Aidid. Two Black Hawk helicoptors are shot down during the mission and and a rescue mission turns into an overnight battle . al-Queda members are among the many fighters attacking US forces. A total of 20 members of the United States military are killed and an additional 80 are wounded. The United States would soon withdrawal from Somali, leading Bin-Laden and other terrorists to view the USA as "weak." -
Taliban Takes Power
The Taliban, a radical Islamic military group seizes power in most of Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden and his al-Queda movement are welcomed within the nation and establish terrorist training camps and bases. -
United States Embassy Bombings
al-Queda detonates truck bombs at the United States embassy buildings in the capitols of Tanzania and Kenya. 223 people are killed and over 4,000 injured. -
USS Cole Bombing
Suicide bombers affiliated with al-Queda drive a motorboat packed with explosives into the USS Cole while it was in harbor in Yemen (Africa). 17 sailors are killed and 39 were injured. -
September 11th
19 members of al-Queda hijack four plans. Two are crased into the World Trade Center in NYC. One is crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Passengers on the final plane fight back and it crashes in rural PA. Almost 3,000 innocent people are killed in the worst terrorist attack in world history.
