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September 11, 2001
Four terrorist suicide attacks are carried out against the US by the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. Almost 3,000 total deaths caused by the 19 hijackers who took four planes from Boston.
More information: https://www.911memorial.org/911-faqs -
President Bush's Speech to America
Bush speaks out in a joint session with Congress, the nation, and the rest of the world watching that our union is strong and that we stand as one despite any attempts on breaking our country. He also states that not everyone in the Islamic religion are terrorists. He states "Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated". -
The War on Terror Begins in Afghanistan
President George W. Bush announces that the United States has begun military action in Afghanistan on October 7th, 2001. He states that the initial strikes are at AL-Qaeda training camps and the Taliban Military Institutions. It is also stated that humanitarian aid will be given tot he citizens of Afghanistan if needed. -
Iraq War March Begins
The U.S. invaded Iraq, citing weapons of mass destruction and links to terrorism. This expanded the War on Terror, leading to a prolonged conflict and instability in the region. -
U.S. Operation Phantom Fury
This was a major U.S. military offensive during the Iraq War, aimed at retaking Fallujah from insurgents. The operation involved combat against fighters linked to Al-Qaeda in Iraq. It is A significant battle in the Iraq War, it demonstrated U.S. efforts to combat insurgencies and terrorist groups. It also contributed to the eventual rise of ISIS from what was left of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. -
Madrid Train Bombings
A series of bomb attacks on Madrid’s trains killed 193 people. The attacks were attributed to Islamic extremists with ties to Al-Qaeda. The bombings intensified European involvement in the War on Terror and led to Spain's withdrawal from Iraq. It highlighted the reach of Al-Qaeda-affiliated networks. -
London Transit Bombings
Four suicide bombers attacked London's public transport system, killing 52 people. The bombers were British nationals inspired by Al-Qaeda. Reinforced concerns about homegrown terrorism and strengthened global counterterrorism questions. It led to increased security measures across Europe and the U.S. -
Hurricane Katrina Hits - Questions about preparation
Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, killing over 1,800 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.The failure to respond quickly to a disaster led to questions about how effectively the U.S. would handle large scale emergencies in the War on Terror, such as a potential attack on infrastructure or another 9/11 scale event. -
Hezbollah-Israel conflict raises concerns about regional terrorism.
In 2006, fighting broke out between Hezbollah and Israel after Hezbollah kidnapped Israeli soldiers, leading to a 34-day war with heavy casualties on both sides. The conflict highlighted the growing influence of Iran backed groups like Hezbollah, raising concerns about regional terrorism. -
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, is killed in a U.S. airstrike
Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Iraq. He was responsible for brutal attacks and bombings targeting civilians and coalition forces. His death was a significant blow to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, but his ideology laid the precedent for ISIS, which emerged from the his organization. -
The U.S. deploys additional troops to Iraq.
The U.S. increased its military presence in Iraq to combat rising sectarian violence and insurgency. This strategy, known as "the surge," aimed to stabilize the country. The surge helped reduce violence in Iraq but did not fully defeat the insurgency. It delayed the rise of ISIS, which would gain strength after the U.S. drawdown. -
Coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai
A group of terrorists from the Pakistani-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out a series of coordinated attacks across Mumbai, killing 166 people. Highlighted the threat of terrorism and the global spread of extremism. It strained India-Pakistan relations and underscored the vulnerabilities of major cities to such attacks. -
Barack Obama is inaugurated as President
Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, the first African American in the role, during a time of economic and ongoing military engagements. Obamas administration shifted the counterterrorism strategy to emphasize diplomacy. He wanted to withdraw combat troops from Iraq and prioritized targeted operations, including drone strikes, signalng a move toward better approaches in the War on Terror. -
The U.S. formally ends combat operations in Iraq
The U.S. officially ended combat operations in Iraq, marking the conclusion of nearly seven years of military engagement following 2003 invasion. The withdrawal raised concerns about the resurgence of extremist groups, mainly ISIS, which capitalized on the power vacuum left by the U.S. exit. The end of combat operations created rethinking of U.S. military involvement in the War on Terror, prioritizing diplomatic and non military solutions in the region. -
Osama bin Laden is killed
U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda and the main person behind the September 11 attacks, during a raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Bin Ladens death was a victory for the U.S. in the War on Terror. However, while it disrupted Al-Qaedas leadership, it did not eliminate the broader aspect of terrorism, as new extremist groups, such as ISIS, began to emerge, continuing the challenges in global counterterrorism efforts. -
Attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya
A terrorist based orgnization attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. The attackers were linked to terrorist groups in the region. The Benghazi attack became a significant political issue in the U.S, raising questions about security at U.S diplomatic posts and the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups in North Africa. -
Boston Marathon Bombing
Two brothers, motivated by extremist ideology, set off bombs at the Boston Marathon, killing 3 people and injuring over 260. Marked a major instance of domestic terrorism in the U.S., and renewed debates on counterterrorism, immigration, and radicalization within the West. -
ISIS declares a caliphate
SIS, an offshoot of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, captured large parts of Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. ISIS’s rise became a major focus in the global War on Terror, leading to U.S.-led airstrikes and military campaigns in Iraq and Syria. It also sparked a new wave of global terrorism and inspired attacks worldwide. -
U.S. Airstrike Against ISIS
The U.S. launched airstrikes against ISIS in Syria, creating escalation in the military campaign against the group, which had captured large territories in Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate. It signified a shift in U.S. strategy, moving from primarily targeting Al-Qaeda to combating a rapidly growing and brutal extremist organization. -
Paris attacks by ISIS kill 130 people
Coordinated terrorist attacks by ISIS operatives in Paris killed 130 people and injured hundreds more. The attackers targeted restaurants, a concert hall, and a stadium. The attacks reinforced the global threat posed by ISIS and led to intensified military action by Western nations, especially France, against ISIS in the Middle East. -
Orlando nightclub shooting
A gunman opened fire in Pulse, a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others. The attack was labeled as both a hate crime and an act of terrorism, as the shooter pledged allegiance to ISIS during the assault. -
U.S.-backed forces defeat ISIS in Raqqa, Syria
U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces declared victory over ISIS in Raqqa, the group’s capital in Syria, after months of fighting. This victory showed the strength of U.S. support for local forces in combating terrorism. It also raised concerns about the potential for ISIS to evolve into an insurgency -
President Trump announces a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria
President Donald Trump announced the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, claiming that ISIS had been defeated and expressing a desire to end American involvement in what he said "endless wars." -
U.S. special forces kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
U.S. special forces killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a raid in Syria. He was the figurehead of the group and had declared its caliphate.His death significantly weakened ISIS, though the group continued to operate as a network. It was seen as a major victory in the fight against terrorism. -
The U.S. signs a peace agreement
The U.S. signed a peace agreement with the Taliban, setting the stage for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. This Marked a major step toward ending U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, but raised concerns about the potential resurgence of Taliban control and renewed terrorist threats in the region. -
The U.S. completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan
The U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of military involvement, leading to the takeover of the country by the Taliban. The withdrawal marked the end of America’s longest war. It raised concerns about Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups again and the future of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region.