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Formation of Al-Qaeda
Al Qaeda was established as a global terrorist organization by Osama Bin Laden. This was after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. Their aim was to wage global jihad; therefore, focusing more on the U.S. and Western targets. There constructed many attacks in the 1990s. One for example, includes the U.S. embassy bombings. -
The First Gulf War (1990-1991)
Saddam Hussein leads Iraq to invade Kuwait which evoked a fight back by the U.S. Since the U.S. were present in Saudi Arabia, the jihadist groups were angry. With the invasion of the U.S., Osama bin Laden used this as a main reason as to why he declared jihad (war against non-Muslims) on the US. -
Bomb of the North Tower of World Trade Center
On February 26, 1993, a truck bomb exploded in the World Trade Center's subterranean garage of the North Tower. There were 6 people killed and it wounded over a thousand more. This exposed the weakness in domestic security and public awareness of the terrorist danger. The bombings were caused by the Al-Qaeda linked militants. -
U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania
In these bombings, Al-Qaeda planed bombings on U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. There were 224 killed and thousands were wounded from these attacks. This prompted U.S. airstrikes against suspected militant sites in Afghanistan and Sudan. -
USS Cole Bombing
Operatives of Al-Qaeda attacked the USS Cole. They were attacked when the ship was refueling in Yemen. The suicide bombing resulted in killing 17 US sailors and it injured many more This showed as a foreshadow for the growing terrorist group of Al-Qaeda and their motive against US miltary targets. -
The attack on 9/11
When 19 militants, mostly Saudi Arabian, of the Al-Qaeda terrorized the US with suicide attacks and airline hijacking. Behind the attacks was Khalid Sheik Muhammed. With 4 commericial planes being hijacked; two going into the twin towers and another going into the Pentagon. The last crashed in Shanksville, PA instead of of the Pentagon with the efforts of heroic citizens onboard.
- 2819 killed
- 343 firefighters or paramed dead -
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The War on Terror
The official global war on terrorism. It was a global counterterrorist military campaign that was designed to defeat all international terrorist groups. It was initiated by the US after the 9/11 attacks on the US. -
Consent of President Bush
President Bush was given the authority to use all necessary force against the people who were involved in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In order to prevent further attacks in the future, there was a required enact of Authorization for Use of Military Force. On the other hand, September 14th, 2001, was declared a "National Day of Prayer and Remembrance" to remember and mourn all 3000 deaths from 3 days prior of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. -
Invasion of Afghanistan
The war in Afghanistan starts which was dedicated to pushing back the terrorist organizations, Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The President had announced the military action into Afghanistan on Oct 7, 2001. The first attacks were targeted against terrorist training camps of Al-Qaeda and military installations of Taliban. Also, Coalition Allies and the US would provide humanitarian help to the citizens of Afghanistan. -
Patriot Act
The passed Patriot Act's purpose was to enhance the surveillance and powers of law enforcement. Allowing government officials to watch and monitor potential terrorists. As a result of this, there were many that debated over whether or not this was a violation of civil liberties. -
Arrest of Khalid Shaykh Muhammad
Khalid Shaykh Muhammad was arrest on March 1, 2003. He was the one that was responsible for the planning of the 9/11 attacks on the US. -
The War in Iraq
This was a war fought between the US-led coalition and the regime led by Saddam Hussein. Due to the recent attacks on 9/11, President Bush thought that Iraq may have destructive weapons which was one drive to invade Iraq, in addition to their support for terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda. The goals were to topple Saddam Hussein's regime, promote democracy, take apart the Weapons of Mass Destruction that the Iraq had. -
London Transportation Bombing
3 bombs near the same time on the London Transportation system were followed by another bombing soon after. They resulted in the killing of over 50 people and over 700 were injured or wounded. The ones responsible were Al-Qaeda. -
Death of Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi
Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi was killed in Iraq. He was the leader of the al-Qaeda. Cause of death: US joint force -
Death of Saddam Hussein
The ruler of Iraq. He was a very cruel ruler who was hanged to death. Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes against humanity which; therefore, led to his death. -
Arab Spring
This was a wave of uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa. In other words, a series of anti-government protests. The governments of Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Libya either collapsed or were challenged. This allowed for Islamist terrorist groups to gain influence.
(like Syria and Libya) -
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Rise of ISIS
Born from the group Al-Qaeda in Iraq. They became a very controlling and dominant jihadist group by attracting members from across the Middle East and elsewhere. -
Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
It is an ongoing multi-sided conflict in Syria between pro-democratic insurgents and President Bashar al-Assad of Syrian. The chaos was exploited by ISIS because of the seize of large territories in Syria and Iraq. -
Boston Marathon Bombings
- 3 killed
- 264 wounded
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Death of Osama Bin Laden
Osama was the leader of the terrorist group, Al-Qaeda. He was responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the US which killed near 3000 people. He was killed by US force in Abbotabad, Pakistan. -
Yemen Civil War (until present)
It is still an ongoing civil war between Rashad al-Alimi Presidential Leadership Council and Mahdi al-Mashat Supreme Political Council. They both think that they dictate the government of Yemen.