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-born Islamist, founded al-Qaeda and served as its first emir. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian fighters in the Yugoslav Wars. He vehemently opposed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, declaring war against the U.S. in 1996. Bin Laden orchestrated and supervised the September 11 attacks in 2001, targeting U.S. assets. His actions and ideologies had a significant impact on global politics and security.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1979: Joins the Mujahideen in Afghanistan

In 1979, Bin Laden joined the mujahideen fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

1979: Bin Laden Joins Mujahideen in Afghanistan

In 1979, after leaving college, Osama bin Laden went to Pakistan and joined Abdullah Yusuf Azzam to support the Mujahideen resistance in the Soviet-Afghan War, using his construction company's resources.

1980: Bin Laden acted as a liaison between the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) 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: Co-founded Maktab al-Khidamat

In 1984, Bin Laden co-founded Maktab al-Khidamat, which recruited foreign mujahideen into the war.

1984: Bin Laden and Azzam Establish Maktab al-Khidamat

In 1984, Osama bin Laden and Azzam established Maktab al-Khidamat to funnel money, arms, and fighters into Afghanistan, funded by Bin Laden's family fortune.

1986: Bin Laden Sets Up Base in Eastern Afghanistan

Between 1986 and 1987, Osama bin Laden established a base in eastern Afghanistan for his Arab soldiers, marking an increase in his direct involvement in the conflict.

1987: Bin Laden Participates in Battle of Jaji

In 1987, Osama bin Laden participated in the Battle of Jaji against the Soviets, which was later lionized in the Arab press, boosting his image.

August 1988: Bin Laden Splits from Maktab al-Khidamat, Establishes al-Qaeda

In August 1988, Osama bin Laden split from Maktab al-Khidamat and established al-Qaeda with the goal to lift the word of God, to make his religion victorious.

August 1988: Meeting Suggests al-Qaeda Was a Formal Group

Research suggests that al-Qaeda was formed at an August 11, 1988, meeting between several senior leaders of Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), Azzam, and Bin Laden, where it was agreed 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.

1988: Founded al-Qaeda

In 1988, Bin Laden founded al-Qaeda for worldwide jihad.

February 1989: Bin Laden Returns to Saudi Arabia as a Hero

In February 1989, following the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero of 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, suffering massive casualties.

August 1990: Bin Laden Offers to Defend Saudi Arabia Against Iraq

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, but was rebuffed in favor of U.S. military assistance.

1990: Bin Laden Funds Afghan Coup Attempt

In 1990, Osama bin Laden funded the Afghan coup d'état attempt led by General Shahnawaz Tanai and lobbied the Parliament of Pakistan to carry out an unsuccessful motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

1991: Bin Laden Denounces Saudi Dependence on U.S. Forces

In 1991, Osama bin Laden publicly denounced Saudi dependence on the U.S. forces, which led to him being placed under house arrest and eventually forced to leave the country.

1991: Bin Laden Expelled from Saudi Arabia

In 1991, Osama bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia for criticizing the Saudi alliance with the United States.

April 1992: Bin Laden Tries to Mediate in Afghan Civil War

In March–April 1992, Osama bin Laden tried to play a pacifying role in the escalating civil war in Afghanistan, urging warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to join the other mujahideen leaders negotiating a coalition government.

1992: US provides billions in aid to Mujahideen

From 1979 to 1992, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and China provided between $6–12 billion worth of financial aid and weapons to tens of thousands of mujahideen through Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

1992: Al-Qaeda Assists Jihadis in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan

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 with $40,000 to Algeria to aid the Islamists and urge war rather than negotiation with the government.

1993: Al-Qaeda Assists Jihadis in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan

January 1996: CIA launched Bin Laden Issue Station

In January 1996, the CIA launched the Bin Laden Issue Station (code-named "Alec Station") to track and carry out operations against Bin Laden's activities. U.S. intelligence monitored Bin Laden in Sudan, using operatives, safe houses, and signals intelligence.