Al-Qaeda

After the Soviet forces were defeated and withdrew from Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden founded al Qaeda in 1988 to continue the cause of jihad through violence and aggression.

The Soviets' defeat by mujahedeen forces in the 10-year long war in Afghanistan inspires Osama bin Laden and other Islamic radicals to believe in their ability to replicate victory worldwide. Many 'Afghan Arabs' return home after the war, including bin Laden who goes back to Saudi Arabia.

At a conference in Oklahoma City, Wadih el-Hage, a U.S. citizen later convicted in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings trial, meets with Egyptian Mahmud Abuhalima, who is later convicted for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing. Abuhalima later attempts to purchase guns from el-Hage.

Bin Laden leaves Saudi Arabia and relocates to Afghanistan before settling in Khartoum, Sudan in 1992 with his supporters.

In December 1992, a bomb exploded at a hotel in Aden, Yemen, killing two Austrian tourists. This attack, believed to be Al Qaeda's first, was an apparent plot to target U.S. servicemen heading to Somalia. Two Yemeni Muslims, trained in Afghanistan, were injured and later arrested.

A truck bomb explodes in the parking garage of the World Trade Center, killing six and injuring hundreds. Investigators uncover links to Islamic extremists, leading to the conviction of several individuals connected to Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman.

Eighteen American soldiers are killed in Mogadishu, Somalia. Bin Laden and his followers are later charged with training the attackers.

Eighteen American soldiers are killed in Mogadishu, Somalia. Bin Laden and his followers are later charged with training the attackers.

Nineteen American soldiers are killed and 500 people injured in the bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Investigators suspect Iranian government involvement through Saudi Hezbollah terrorists, while some believe Osama bin Laden may have played a role.

In August 1996, a Declaration of Jihad was issued from the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan. It advocated engaging in violent actions against nonbelievers, justifying it by the belief that if the victims were innocent, they would go to paradise.

In August 1997, police search Wadih el-Hage's home in Nairobi, Kenya, and discover documents outlining the presence of an Al Qaeda cell in Nairobi.

On February 23, 1998, Osama bin Laden and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri issue a declaration along with other extremist groups, urging Muslims to kill Americans worldwide.

On August 7, 1998, al Qaeda operatives bombed U.S. embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya, killing more than 200 people and wounding 4,500. The attacks were linked to Osama bin Laden, who was later indicted for his role.

President Clinton orders the firing of Tomahawk missiles at a suspected Al Qaeda camp in Afghanistan and a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan, believed to be producing chemical weapons for Osama bin Laden. The success of the strikes is later called into question.

On November 4, 1998, Osama bin Laden was indicted for his role in the East African bombings, including murder of U.S. nationals and attacks on federal facilities. This marked a significant legal action against the leader of al Qaeda.

On October 12, 2000, terrorist operatives attacked the USS Cole in Yemen with a small boat filled with explosives, killing 17 Navy sailors and injuring many others. This event showcased the continued violent actions of al Qaeda.

Ali Mohamed, a U.S. citizen and Al Qaeda member, is arrested in the U.S. and starts cooperating with authorities. He confesses to taking pictures of the Nairobi embassy and showing them to bin Laden, who then pointed out potential targets for a suicide bombing.

On December 8, 2000, links between the USS Cole bombing and Osama bin Laden are established. This connection sheds light on the involvement of bin Laden's network in the attack.

Richard Clarke, the National Security Council counterterrorism chief, sends a memo warning about the presence of Al Qaeda sleeper cells within the U.S. as a major threat. He also recommends targeting Al Qaeda training camps in response to the Cole bombing.

The Washington Post reports that investigators in Yemen confirm close ties between individuals in custody and Al Qaeda. An anonymous Bush administration official asserts the direct involvement of Al Qaeda in the Cole bombing.

Mohamed Atta meets with his former roommate Ramzi bin al-Shibh in Spain along with a number of other Arab men. Officials discover the meeting after September 11 and suspect that bin al-Shibh may have also been at the January 2000 Malaysia meeting.

On September 9, 2001, two Tunisian members of al-Qaeda assassinated Ahmed Shah Massoud, the leader of the Northern Alliance. One of the suicide attackers was killed by the explosion, while the other was captured and shot while trying to escape. It is believed that Osama Bin Laden ordered Massoud's assassination to help his Taliban protectors and ensure he would have their cooperation in Afghanistan.

The most destructive act ascribed to al-Qaeda was the series of attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Four commercial jet airliners were hijacked, leading to the destruction of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field during a struggle between passengers and hijackers. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in history. An investigation concluded that members of al-Qaeda planned and orchestrated the attacks.

The terrorist organization Al-Qaeda carried out a series of coordinated attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. These attacks had a significant impact on global security and led to major changes in US foreign policy.

On October 10, 2001, Osama bin Laden was added to the newly-launched Most Wanted Terrorists List by the U.S. and other nations. This marked a significant step in the global effort to locate and apprehend bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists.

Afghan militias engage in a two-week battle with al-Qaeda militants in the Tora Bora cave complex, resulting in a few hundred deaths and the escape of bin Laden.

On December 22, 2001, al-Qaeda operative Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives packed into his shoes on American Airlines Flight 63. Reid pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in 2002 and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He is currently held in a super maximum security prison in the United States.

The April 11, 2002 Ghriba synagogue bombing occurred when a natural gas truck fitted with explosives drove past security barriers at the ancient Ghriba Synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba. The attack resulted in the deaths of 14 German tourists, three Tunisians, and two French nationals. Al Qaeda later claimed responsibility for the bombing.

On September 11, 2002, Ramzi bin al-Shibh was captured by Pakistani police in a shootout in Karachi. He is currently in U.S. custody and is providing valuable information about Al Qaeda operations in Europe and Southeast Asia.

Four truck bomb attacks took place in Istanbul, Turkey, targeting two synagogues, a British consulate, and a British bank, resulting in 57 deaths and 700 wounded.

Four truck bomb attacks took place in Istanbul, Turkey, targeting two synagogues, a British consulate, and a British bank, resulting in 57 deaths and 700 wounded.

The worst terrorist attack in Europe since the Lockerbie bombing occurs in Madrid, killing 190 people and injuring hundreds more. Initially blamed on the Basque nationalist group Eta, it is later linked to Islamist militants.

Four Al-Qaeda gunmen carried out attacks in Khobar.

On October 29, 2004, Osama bin Laden surfaces in a video released by Al Jazeera. This event raises concerns and draws attention to the ongoing global fight against terrorism.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted a bombing on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on December 25, 2009. He claimed to have traveled to Yemen for training by Al-Qaeda, although British counterterrorism officials dismissed the claims.

An Al-Qaeda agent posing as a double agent killed 7 CIA officers in the Camp Chapman attack on December 30, 2009. The attack resulted in the death of 7 CIA officers and 1 Jordanian intelligence officer.

Two packages containing bombs were discovered on separate cargo planes, each consisting of plastic explosives and a detonating mechanism. The bombs were found en route from Yemen to the United States, with intelligence provided by Saudi Arabia's security chief.

On May 2, 2011, under orders from President Obama, a special operations unit conducted a raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, resulting in his death. This operation was a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism.

On June 16, 2011, al-Qaeda announced that Ayman al-Zawahiri, the long-serving deputy of Osama bin Laden, had been chosen as the new leader of the organization following bin Laden's death. This marked a significant transition in the leadership of al-Qaeda.

A terrorist attack in Paris where 12 people were killed and 11 wounded. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the shooting.

A shooting incident in Pensacola, Florida, where three people were killed and 8 wounded. The shooter was killed by police, and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attack.