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 founder and leader of al-Qaeda, was a key figure in the rise of global jihadism. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian mujahideen. Driven by opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, he declared war on the U.S. in 1996. Bin Laden orchestrated and supervised numerous terrorist attacks, most notably the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and led to the U.S. War on Terror.

Sections (6)

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

1979: Joined the Mujahideen

In 1979, Osama bin Laden joined the Afghan mujahideen fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

1979: Bin Laden Joins Mujahideen in Pakistan

In 1979, after leaving college, Osama bin Laden went to Pakistan, joined Abdullah Yusuf Azzam and used money and machinery from his own construction company to help the Mujahideen resistance in the Soviet—Afghan War.

1980: Bin Laden as Liaison

Beginning in early 1980, Osama bin Laden acted as a liaison between the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) and Afghan warlords. Bin Laden's first trainer was U.S. Special Forces commando Ali Mohamed.

1984: Establishment of Maktab al-Khidamat

In 1984, Osama bin Laden and Azzam established Maktab al-Khidamat, an organization that 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, which recruited foreign mujahideen into the war.

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 Battle of Jaji

Between 1986 and 1987, Osama bin Laden participated in some combat activity against the Soviets, such as the Battle of Jaji in 1987.

August 1988: Formation of al-Qaeda

According to Wright, al-Qaeda was formed at an 11 August 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.

August 1988: Split from Maktab al-Khidamat

By 1988, Osama bin Laden had split from Maktab al-Khidamat due to disagreements with Azzam. On 20 August 1988, a meeting of Bin Laden and others indicated that al-Qaeda was a formal group by that time.

1988: Founded al-Qaeda

In 1988, as the Soviet war in Afghanistan came to an end, Osama bin Laden founded al-Qaeda to carry out worldwide jihad.

March 1989: Battle of Jalalabad

In March 1989, Osama bin Laden led 800 Arab foreign fighters during the unsuccessful Battle of Jalalabad.

August 1990: Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait

Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, Osama bin Laden met with King Fahd and Saudi Defense Minister Sultan bin Abdulaziz, offering to defend Saudi Arabia with his Arab legion instead of relying on U.S. military assistance. This offer was ultimately rebuffed.

1990: Funding of Afghan Coup Attempt

In 1990, Osama bin Laden funded the Afghan coup d'état attempt led by hardcore communist General Shahnawaz Tanai.

April 1992: Pacifying role 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's Assistance to Jihadis

In the 1990s, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda assisted jihadis financially, and sometimes militarily, in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan. In 1992 or 1993, Osama 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's Advice heeded in Algeria

In 1992 or 1993, Osama 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. Their advice was heeded.

August 1996: Declared Holy War Against the U.S.

In August 1996, Osama bin Laden declared a fatwā, a holy war against the U.S.

1996: Bin Laden Declared War on the U.S.

In 1996, Osama bin Laden declared war on the U.S. and advocated attacks targeting U.S. assets.

February 1998: Declared Holy War Against the U.S.

In February 1998, Osama bin Laden declared a second fatwā, again declaring holy war against the U.S.

October 1999: Al-Qaeda Designated as Terrorist Organization

In October 1999, the United Nations designated al-Qaeda as a terrorist organization.

2001: Supervised 9/11 Attacks

In 2001, Osama bin Laden supervised the execution of the September 11 attacks inside the U.S.

2010: Bin Laden Chastises Followers on Civilian Casualties

In 2010, Osama bin Laden criticized followers for misinterpreting Islamic doctrine to justify massacres of Muslim civilians. He condemned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan for an attack resulting in noncombatant casualties and asked for a jihadist code of conduct to avoid such casualties. He also urged allies in Yemen to seek a truce and advised al-Shabab in Somalia to pursue economic development.