Osama bin Laden, Saudi Arabian terrorist, founder of Al-Qaeda (b. 1957)

Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, often transliterated as Usama bin Ladin, was a figure whose name became synonymous with global terrorism. Born on March 10, 1957, he met his end on May 2, 2011. A Saudi national for much of his life, he founded al-Qaeda, a Pan-Islamic militant organization that would irrevocably alter the international security landscape. This group is widely recognized and designated as a terrorist entity by major international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union, and numerous individual countries worldwide. Under bin Laden's radical leadership, al-Qaeda was responsible for the devastating September 11 attacks in the United States, as well as a series of other mass-casualty attacks across the globe.

Bin Laden hailed from a prominent and wealthy Saudi family. His father, Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, was a Saudi millionaire originally from Hadhramaut, Yemen, who established the hugely successful construction conglomerate, the Saudi Binladin Group. This background offered Osama a privileged upbringing and access to considerable resources. His mother, Alia Ghanem, came from a secular, middle-class family based in Latakia, Syria. He was born in Saudi Arabia and pursued his university studies within the kingdom until 1979. That year marked a pivotal turning point in his life, as he left his studies to join the Mujahideen forces in Pakistan. These forces were then engaged in a fierce struggle against the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, a conflict that deeply resonated with many in the Muslim world. Bin Laden played a significant role in funding the Mujahideen, facilitating the flow of arms, money, and fighters from various Arab countries into Afghanistan, a contribution that earned him considerable popularity among many Arabs at the time.

The Rise of Al-Qaeda and Global Jihad

In 1988, as the Soviet-Afghan War drew to a close, Osama bin Laden formally established al-Qaeda. Initially, the organization's focus was often perceived as a continuation of the anti-Soviet struggle, but its objectives soon broadened to encompass a global jihad against perceived enemies of Islam, primarily the United States and its allies. His growing radicalism and activities led to his banishment from Saudi Arabia in 1992, effectively stripping him of his citizenship. Following this, he relocated his base of operations to Sudan. However, persistent international pressure, particularly from the United States, compelled him to leave Sudan in 1996. He subsequently established a new base in Afghanistan, where he found refuge under the Taliban regime.

It was from Afghanistan that bin Laden declared an open war against the United States, articulating grievances centered on American foreign policy, its military presence in Saudi Arabia following the Gulf War, and its support for Israel. This declaration ushered in a grim period marked by a series of bombings and related attacks orchestrated by al-Qaeda. Notably, he was placed on the American Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) lists of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and Most Wanted Terrorists due to his involvement in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which claimed hundreds of lives.

The September 11 Attacks and the War on Terror

Osama bin Laden is, without doubt, most infamously known as the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, attacks. These coordinated terrorist strikes targeted prominent symbols of American power and resulted in the tragic deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The sheer scale and audacity of 9/11 sent shockwaves across the globe and prompted the United States, under the leadership of President George W. Bush, to launch the "War on Terror." This global initiative involved military, political, and economic campaigns aimed at combating international terrorism, leading directly to the War in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and overthrow the Taliban regime that harbored bin Laden.

Following 9/11, bin Laden became the subject of an intense, decade-long international manhunt. From 2001 until his death in 2011, he remained the primary target of the United States, with the FBI offering a substantial reward of $25 million for information leading to his capture. Despite his high profile, he managed to evade capture for years, believed to be hiding in the rugged border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The End of a Manhunt

The prolonged search for Osama bin Laden concluded dramatically on May 2, 2011. In a highly secretive and meticulously planned covert operation, a team of elite U.S. Navy SEALs, specifically members of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team Six), along with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Special Activities Division/Special Operations Group (SAD/SOG) operators, raided a private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Acting on direct orders from President Barack Obama, the raid successfully located and killed bin Laden, who had been living there with a local family from Waziristan. His death marked a significant milestone in the War on Terror, though the struggle against the ideology and groups he inspired continued.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was Osama bin Laden's full name and when was he born and died?
His full name was Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden. He was born on March 10, 1957, and was killed on May 2, 2011.
What organization did Osama bin Laden found?
He founded al-Qaeda, a Pan-Islamic militant organization designated as a terrorist group by numerous international bodies and countries.
What major attack is Osama bin Laden most known for?
He is most widely known for masterminding the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.
What was his family background?
Osama bin Laden was a member of the wealthy Saudi bin Laden family. His father, Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, was a Saudi millionaire and founder of the Saudi Binladin Group, a major construction company.
When did he become involved in militancy?
His involvement in militancy began in 1979 when he joined the Mujahideen forces in Pakistan, fighting against the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.
Why was he banished from Saudi Arabia?
He was banished from Saudi Arabia in 1992 due to his increasingly radical views and activities, which conflicted with the Saudi government.
Where was Osama bin Laden found and killed?
He was located and killed by U.S. Navy SEALs on May 2, 2011, inside a private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Who ordered the operation that killed Osama bin Laden?
The covert operation that led to his death was ordered by then-U.S. President Barack Obama.
What was the "War on Terror"?
The "War on Terror" was a global military, political, and economic campaign initiated by the United States under President George W. Bush in response to the September 11 attacks, aimed at combating international terrorism and dismantling groups like al-Qaeda.