Career Timeline of Osama bin Laden: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Osama bin Laden made an impact.
Osama bin Laden, a Saudi Arabian-born founder and leader of al-Qaeda, was a key figure in the rise of radical Islamic terrorism. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and later opposed the United States' foreign policy in the Middle East. Bin Laden declared war on the U.S. in 1996 and masterminded numerous attacks, most notably the September 11 attacks in 2001. His actions led to the U.S.-led War on Terror, significantly reshaping global geopolitics and security measures.
1979: Joined the Mujahideen in Afghanistan
In 1979, Osama bin Laden joined the mujahideen fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
1980: Bin Laden acts as liaison between Saudi intelligence and Afghan warlords
Beginning in early 1980, Osama bin Laden acted as a liaison between the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) and Afghan warlords.
1984: Bin Laden and Azzam establish Maktab al-Khidamat
In 1984, Osama bin Laden and Azzam established Maktab al-Khidamat, which funneled money, arms, and fighters from around the Arab world into Afghanistan.
1984: Co-founded Maktab al-Khidamat
In 1984, Osama bin Laden co-founded Maktab al-Khidamat, an organization focused on recruiting foreign mujahideen for the war in Afghanistan.
1986: Bin Laden sets up base in eastern Afghanistan
Between 1986 and 1987, Osama bin Laden set up a base in eastern Afghanistan for several dozen of his own Arab soldiers.
1987: Bin Laden participates in the Battle of Jaji
In 1987, Osama bin Laden participated in some combat activity against the Soviets, such as the Battle of Jaji. It was during this time that he became idolized by many Arabs.
August 1988: Meeting to form al-Qaeda
On August 11, 1988, a meeting between senior leaders of Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), Azzam, and Bin Laden led to an agreement to join Bin Laden's money with the expertise of the EIJ and take up the jihadist cause elsewhere after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan.
August 1988: Al-Qaeda formally established
On August 20, 1988, notes from a meeting indicate that al-Qaeda was a formal group. One of the main points leading to the split and the creation of al-Qaeda was Azzam's insistence that Arab fighters be integrated among the Afghan fighting groups instead of forming a separate fighting force.
1988: Founded al-Qaeda
In 1988, Osama bin Laden founded al-Qaeda, an organization aimed at conducting worldwide jihad.
March 1989: Bin Laden leads foreign fighters in Battle of Jalalabad
In March 1989, Osama bin Laden led 800 Arab foreign fighters during the unsuccessful Battle of Jalalabad.
August 1990: Bin Laden offers to defend Saudi Arabia with his Arab legion
In August 1990, after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Osama bin Laden met with King Fahd and offered to defend Saudi Arabia with his Arab legion, advising against dependence on non-Muslim assistance from the U.S.
1990: Bin Laden funds Afghan coup attempt
In 1990, Osama bin Laden funded the Afghan coup d'état attempt led by hardcore communist General Shahnawaz Tanai.
April 1992: Bin Laden attempts to mediate in Afghanistan civil war
In March–April 1992, Osama bin Laden tried to play a pacifying role in the escalating civil war in Afghanistan, by urging warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to join the other mujahideen leaders negotiating a coalition government instead of trying to conquer Kabul for himself.
1992: Al-Qaeda assists jihadis financially and militarily
In the 1990s, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda assisted jihadis financially, and sometimes militarily, in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan. In 1992 or 1993, Bin Laden sent an emissary, Qari el-Said, with $40,000 to Algeria to aid the Islamists and urge war rather than negotiation with the government.
1993: Al-Qaeda assists jihadis financially and militarily
In the 1990s, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda assisted jihadis financially, and sometimes militarily, in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan. In 1992 or 1993, Bin Laden sent an emissary, Qari el-Said, with $40,000 to Algeria to aid the Islamists and urge war rather than negotiation with the government.
August 1996: Declared Holy War Against the U.S.
In August 1996, Osama bin Laden issued a fatwā declaring holy war against the United States.
1996: Bin Laden Declared War on the U.S.
In 1996, Osama bin Laden declared war on the United States due to his opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He advocated for attacks targeting US assets in various countries.
February 1998: Declared Holy War Against the U.S.
In February 1998, Osama bin Laden issued a fatwā declaring holy war against the United States.
June 1999: Bin Laden Added to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List
In June 1999, Osama bin Laden became the 456th person added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list following his indictment for capital crimes related to the 1998 embassy attacks.
October 1999: United Nations Designated al-Qaeda as a Terrorist Organization
In October 1999, the United Nations designated al-Qaeda, founded by Osama bin Laden, as a terrorist organization.
October 2001: Bin Laden Listed on FBI Most Wanted Terrorists List
On October 10, 2001, Osama bin Laden appeared on the initial list of the top 22 FBI Most Wanted Terrorists, based on the indictment for the 1998 embassy attack.
2001: September 11 Attacks
In 2001, Osama bin Laden supervised the execution of the September 11 attacks inside the U.S.
2004: Bin Laden speaks of "bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy"
In 2004, Osama bin Laden, in a tape broadcast by Al Jazeera, discussed al-Qaeda's strategy of "bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy" by luring it into long wars of attrition in Muslim countries.
