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 was the founder and leader of al-Qaeda, a militant organization. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian mujahideen. Bin Laden opposed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, declaring war on the United States in 1996. He orchestrated and supervised the September 11 attacks in 2001, which targeted U.S. assets and resulted in significant casualties, solidifying his role as a key figure in global terrorism.

Sections (6)

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

1979: Joined the Mujahideen in Afghanistan

In 1979, Osama bin Laden joined the mujahideen fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, marking his entry into militant activities.

1979: Joined Mujahideen Resistance in Soviet-Afghan War

In 1979, after leaving college, Osama bin Laden went to Pakistan. He 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 Acted as a Liaison

Beginning in early 1980, Bin Laden acted as a liaison between the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) and Afghan warlords.

1984: Established Maktab al-Khidamat

In 1984, Osama bin Laden and Azzam established Maktab al-Khidamat. The organization funneled money, arms, and fighters from around the Arab world into Afghanistan.

1986: Set up a Base in Eastern Afghanistan

From 1986, Osama bin Laden set up a base in eastern Afghanistan for his own Arab soldiers.

1987: Participated in the Battle of Jaji

In 1987, Osama bin Laden participated in some combat activity against the Soviets, such as the Battle of Jaji in eastern Afghanistan.

August 1988: Formalization of al-Qaeda

In August 1988, notes from a meeting indicate that al-Qaeda had become a formal group with the goal to promote Islamic beliefs. Requirements for membership included obedience, good manners, and pledging allegiance to superiors.

1988: Founded al-Qaeda

In 1988, as the Soviet war in Afghanistan was ending, Osama bin Laden founded al-Qaeda. He aimed to carry out worldwide jihad.

February 1989: Bin Laden's Return to Saudi Arabia

In February 1989, following the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia and was regarded as a hero of jihad. He then engaged in opposition movements against the Saudi monarchy.

March 1989: Battle of Jalalabad

In March 1989, Bin Laden led 800 Arab foreign fighters during the unsuccessful Battle of Jalalabad, where he personally led his men to immobilize the 7th Sarandoy Regiment, resulting in massive casualties.

August 1990: Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait and Bin Laden's Offer to Defend Saudi Arabia

In August 1990, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Bin Laden met with King Fahd and Defense Minister Sultan, offering his Arab legion to defend Saudi Arabia instead of relying on non-Muslim assistance from the U.S. His offer was declined.

1990: Bin Laden Funds Afghan Coup Attempt

In 1990, Bin Laden funded the Afghan coup d'état attempt led by General Shahnawaz Tanai, a hardcore communist. He also lobbied the Parliament of Pakistan to carry out an unsuccessful motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

1991: Bin Laden's Criticism and House Arrest

In 1991, Bin Laden publicly criticized Saudi dependence on U.S. forces, leading to his house arrest and eventual forced departure from the country. The U.S. 82nd Airborne Division was deployed in Dhahran.

1991: Expulsion from Saudi Arabia

In 1991, Bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia after repeatedly criticizing the alliance with the United States. He and his followers moved to Afghanistan.

April 1992: Pacifying Role in Afghanistan Civil War

In March–April 1992, Bin Laden tried to play a pacifying role in the escalating civil war in Afghanistan, by urging warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to join the mujahideen leaders negotiating a coalition government instead of trying to conquer Kabul.

1992: Al-Qaeda's Assistance to Jihadis

In 1992, Bin Laden's al-Qaeda assisted jihadis financially and militarily in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan.

1995: EIJ Attempt to Assassinate Hosni Mubarak and Al-Qaeda's Justification for Killing Innocents

In 1995, the EIJ attempted to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, which failed, leading al-Qaeda to develop its justification for the killing of innocent people via a fatwa issued by Mamdouh Mahmud Salim.

May 1996: Bin Laden's Expulsion to Afghanistan

On May 18, 1996, due to increasing pressure on Sudan, Bin Laden was permitted to leave for Jalalabad, Afghanistan, where he developed a close relationship with Mullah Omar. The expulsion significantly weakened Bin Laden and his organization.

August 1996: Bin Laden's Declaration of War

In August 1996, Bin Laden issued a fatawā titled "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places", published by Al-Quds Al-Arabi, criticizing U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia.

June 1998: Bin Laden and al-Zawahiri organize al-Qaeda congress

On June 24, 1998, Osama bin Laden and al-Zawahiri organized an al-Qaeda congress.

December 1999: Bin Laden financed convoys of recruits through businesses in Sudan

According to Middle East intelligence reports, in December 1999 Bin Laden financed small convoys of recruits from the Arab world through his businesses in Sudan. Among them was Karim Said Atmani, identified as the document forger for a group accused of plotting bombings in the United States.

2004: Bin Laden Speaks of Bleeding America

In 2004, Osama bin Laden spoke of "bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy" in a tape broadcast by Al Jazeera, outlining his strategy of luring enemies into long wars of attrition.