Major Controversies Surrounding Osama bin Laden: A Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Osama bin Laden.
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.
May 1988: Massacre of Shias in Gilgit, Pakistan
In May 1988, large numbers of Shias from in and around Gilgit, Pakistan were killed in a massacre. It is alleged that Osama bin Laden led an armed group of Sunni tribals to suppress a revolt by the Shias.
November 1990: FBI discovers al-Qaeda terrorist plans in New Jersey home
On November 8, 1990, the FBI raided the New Jersey home of El Sayyid Nosair, an associate of al-Qaeda operative Ali Mohamed, discovering copious evidence of terrorist plots.
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.
1991: Expulsion from Saudi Arabia
In 1991, Osama bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia due to his views on pan-Islamism and anti-Americanism.
1991: Bin Laden put under house arrest for criticizing Saudi monarchy
In 1991, Osama bin Laden's continued criticism of the Saudi monarchy led them to put him under house arrest, under which he remained until he was ultimately forced to leave the country.
December 1992: Bombing of the Gold Mihor Hotel in Aden
On December 29, 1992, the bombing of the Gold Mihor Hotel in Aden, in which two people were killed, is believed to be the first bombing attack involving Osama bin Laden.
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: Nosair convicted in connection to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing
In 1993, Nosair was eventually convicted in connection to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and, years later, admitted guilt for the murder of Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York City on 5 November 1990.
1993: Bin Laden and Assistant Granted Bosnian Citizenship
In 1993, it was reported that Bin Laden and his Tunisian assistant Mehrez Aodouni were granted citizenship and Bosnian passports by the government in Sarajevo. The Bosnian government initially denied this information.
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.
1995: EIJ attempts to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
In 1995, the EIJ, closely linked with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda, attempted to assassinate the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The attempt failed, and Sudan expelled the EIJ.
1995: Sudanese Officials Discuss Expelling Bin Laden
In late 1995, Sudanese officials discussed expelling Bin Laden with the Saudi government. The CIA prepared to apprehend him, but was denied authorization. The Saudis did not want Bin Laden, giving as their reason the revocation of his citizenship.
August 1996: Bin Laden Issues Fatwa Against Americans
In August 1996, Bin Laden issued a fatwā titled "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places", published by Al-Quds Al-Arabi. The fatwa referred to U.S. forces based in Saudi Arabia for controlling air space in Iraq.
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.
June 1997: Confessions of Ties to Bin Laden
In June 1997, The New York Times reported that those arrested for the bombing of the Al Khobar building in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, confessed to serving with Bosnian Muslim forces and admitted to ties with Bin Laden.
November 1997: Bin Laden Allegedly Funds Luxor Massacre
In November 1997, it has been claimed that Bin Laden funded the Luxor massacre, which killed 62 civilians. Also in mid-1997, the Northern Alliance threatened to overrun Jalalabad, causing him to move his operations.
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.
February 1998: Bin Laden Issues Fatwa Against the U.S.
On February 1998, Bin Laden, alongside others, issued another fatwā against the U.S., calling upon Muslims to attack the country and its allies. It was entitled "Declaration of the World Islamic Front for Jihad against the Jews and the Crusaders".
May 1998: Bin Laden claims Israel seeks to annex Arabian Peninsula and Middle East
In May 1998, Osama bin Laden claimed that the Israeli state's ultimate goal was to annex the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East into its territory and enslave its peoples, as part of what he called a "Greater Israel".
June 1998: Bin Laden Indicted by U.S. Grand Jury
On 8 June 1998, Bin Laden was first indicted by a grand jury of the U.S. on charges of conspiracy to attack defense utilities of the U.S. and prosecutors further charged that Bin Laden was the head of the terrorist organization called al-Qaeda.
August 1998: U.S. Retaliates with Cruise Missile Strikes
In August 1998, in retaliation for the embassy bombings, U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered cruise missile strikes on Bin Laden-related targets in Sudan and Afghanistan.
August 1998: U.S. Launches Cruise Missiles at Bin Laden's Training Camps
On 20 August 1998, 66 cruise missiles launched by U.S. Navy ships in the Arabian Sea struck Bin Laden's training camps near Khost in Afghanistan, missing him by a few hours.
November 1998: Bin Laden Indicted in New York for Embassy Attacks
On 4 November 1998, Bin Laden was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in New York on charges related to the 1998 embassy attacks. The Taliban refused to extradite him due to insufficient evidence and the standing of non-Muslim courts.
December 1998: Bin Laden claims Israeli Jews control U.S. and UK governments
In December 1998, Osama bin Laden stated that Operation Desert Fox was proof that Israeli Jews controlled the governments of the U.S. and the United Kingdom, directing them to kill as many Muslims as they could.
December 1998: CIA Reports Al-Qaeda Preparing Attacks in U.S.
In December 1998, the CIA reported to Clinton that al-Qaeda was preparing for attacks in the U.S., including the training of personnel to hijack aircraft.
1998: Embassy Attacks
In 1998, Osama bin Laden was indicted along with others for capital crimes related to the embassy attacks.
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 15, 1999: UN Designates Al-Qaeda as a Terrorist Organization
On October 15, 1999, the United Nations designated al-Qaeda as a terrorist organization through UN Security Council Resolution 1267. This resolution aimed to impose sanctions on individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda.
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.
December 1999: Arrest at Canada-U.S. Border Linked to Bin Laden
In December 1999, Ahmed Ressam was arrested at the Canada–United States border with bomb-making materials. Karim Said Atmani, who was identified as the document forger for a group of Algerians accused of plotting the bombings in the United States, was a former roommate of Ahmed Ressam. He was convicted of colluding with Bin Laden by a French court.
December 1999: Arrest in Jordan Linked to Plot to Blow Up Tourist Sites
In late December 1999, Khalil al-Deek was arrested in Jordan on suspicion of involvement in a plot to blow up tourist sites. A second man with Bosnian citizenship, Hamid Aich, lived in Canada at the same time as Atmani and worked for a charity associated with Bin Laden.
1999: Milošević Claims Al-Qaeda Aided KLA
In 1999, during his trial at the International Criminal Tribunal, Slobodan Milošević claimed that al-Qaeda had a presence in the Balkans and aided the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), using Albania as a launchpad for violence. This allegedly led to the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.
1999: Reports of Bin Laden's Bosnian Citizenship Surface
In 1999, the press reported that Bin Laden and his Tunisian assistant Mehrez Aodouni were granted citizenship and Bosnian passports in 1993. The Bosnian government denied this information following the September 11 attacks.
January 2000: Islamic Militants Plan Triple Attack
In January 2000, it was revealed that Islamic militants headed by Bin Laden had planned a triple attack, including bombings in Jordan and an attack on a target within the United States. The plan was foiled by arrests and other preventative measures.
2000: Differing Views on Clinton Administration's Focus on Bin Laden
In 2000, before the September 11 attacks, Paul Bremer characterized the Clinton administration as correctly focused on Bin Laden, while Robert Oakley criticized their obsession with Osama.
August 2001: Intelligence Report: Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.
On August 6, 2001, President George W. Bush received an intelligence report titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S."
September 11, 2001: Interview with Pakistani Journalist
Two months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Osama bin Laden gave an interview with Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir.
September 2001: September 11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, the U.S. was attacked by al-Qaeda, who used four commercial airplanes as missiles against targets including the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, resulting in at least 2,750 deaths. Communications intercepted by the National Security Agency and German intelligence agencies pointed to Bin Laden's responsibility.
September 2001: Bin Laden Denies Involvement in 9/11 Attacks
On September 16, 2001, Osama bin Laden denied responsibility for the September 11 attacks in a statement broadcast by Al Jazeera.
September 2001: Bush's "Wanted: Dead or Alive" Comment
On September 17, 2001, President George W. Bush, while referring to Bin Laden in a CNN film clip, stated, "I want justice. There is an old poster out west, as I recall, that said, 'Wanted: Dead or alive'".
October 2001: Bosnia and Herzegovina Described as a Terrorist Safe Haven
In October 2001, a former U.S. State Department official described Bosnia and Herzegovina as a safe haven for terrorists, asserting that militant elements of the former Sarajevo government were protecting extremists, some with ties to Bin Laden.
October 2001: Bombing of Afghanistan
In October 2001, the bombing of Afghanistan commenced after attempts at assassination and requests for Bin Laden's extradition from the Taliban had failed. The US government was trying to get Bin Laden extradited following his 1998 indictment in the embassy attacks.
November 2001: Videotape Recovered Showing Bin Laden Discussing 9/11
In November 2001, U.S. forces recovered a videotape in Jalalabad showing Bin Laden discussing the September 11 attacks with Khaled al-Harbi in a way that suggests foreknowledge.
December 2001: Broadcast of Videotape
On December 13, 2001, a videotape recovered by U.S. forces was broadcast on various news networks. In the videotape Bin Laden was seen discussing the attack with Khaled al-Harbi.
2001: September 11 Attacks
In 2001, Osama bin Laden supervised the execution of the September 11 attacks inside the U.S.
2002: Bin Laden states Jews control civilian media, politics, and economic institutions of the United States
In a letter released in late 2002, Osama bin Laden stated that Jews controlled the civilian media outlets, politics, and economic institutions of the United States.
2002: Published Letter to the American People
In his Letter to the American People published in 2002, Bin Laden described the formation of the Israeli state as "a crime which must be erased" and demanded the withdrawal of U.S. personnel from the Arabian Peninsula and Muslim lands.
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.
2004: Bin Laden Claims Personal Direction of 9/11 Hijackers
In a 2004 video, Osama bin Laden claimed he had personally directed the nineteen hijackers in the September 11 attacks and accused George W. Bush of negligence in the hijacking of the planes.
May 2006: Bin Laden Claims Responsibility for 9/11 Attacks
Through tapes aired by Al Jazeera in May 2006, Bin Laden announced, "I am the one in charge of the nineteen brothers... I was responsible for entrusting the nineteen brothers... with the raids."
September 2006: Videotape Showing Preparation for 9/11 Attacks Broadcast
In September 2006, a videotape broadcast showed Bin Laden with Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Hamza al-Ghamdi, and Wail al-Shehri as they made preparations for the 9/11 attacks.
2006: Alleged Imprisonment by ISI
In 2006, according to Seymour Hersh, Osama bin Laden was allegedly a prisoner of the ISI at the Abbottabad compound.
August 2007: Al-Qaeda Releases Video Showing Bin Laden
In August 2007, Al-Qaeda continued to release time-sensitive and professionally verified videos demonstrating Bin Laden's continued survival.
2010: Bin Laden's Directives to Followers
In 2010, Osama bin Laden criticized followers for misinterpreting Islamic doctrine to justify massacres of Muslim civilians. He condemned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan for civilian casualties, advocated for a jihadist code of conduct, urged a truce in Yemen, advised al-Shabab to pursue economic development in Somalia, and instructed followers to focus on education and persuasion.
2014: Report of ISI Director General's Knowledge
In 2014, Carlotta Gall reported that ISI Director General Ahmad Shuja Pasha knew of Bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad.
2015: Hersh's Assertion of Bin Laden as ISI Prisoner
In 2015, Seymour M. Hersh asserted that Osama bin Laden had been a prisoner of the ISI at the Abbottabad compound since 2006, and that Pasha knew of the U.S. mission in advance.
June 2020: Imran Khan's Denouncement and Praise of Bin Laden
During a Pakistani parliament session in June 2020, Imran Khan denounced Osama bin Laden's killing, calling it "an embarrassing moment," and praised Bin Laden as a "Shaheed (martyr)."
November 2023: Controversy Over Bin Laden's "Letter to the American People"
In November 2023, during the Gaza war, Osama bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to the American People" sparked controversy after TikTok users expressed sympathy with its statements, leading to its removal from The Guardian's website.
