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-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

May 1988: Gilgit Massacre Allegations

In May 1988, large numbers of Shias from in and around Gilgit, Pakistan were killed in a massacre. It is alleged that the Pakistan Army induced Osama bin Laden to lead an armed group of Sunni tribals, from Afghanistan and the North-West Frontier Province, into Gilgit and its surrounding areas to suppress the revolt.

November 1990: FBI Raid on El Sayyid Nosair's Home

On 8 November 1990, the FBI raided the New Jersey home of El Sayyid Nosair, an associate of al-Qaeda operative Ali Mohamed, and discovered evidence of terrorist plots, including plans to blow up New York City skyscrapers. On 5 November 1990, Nosair murdered Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York City.

December 1992: Bombing of Gold Mihor Hotel

On 29 December 1992, the Gold Mihor Hotel in Aden was bombed, killing two people. It is believed that this was the first bombing attack involving Osama bin Laden.

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.

May 1998: Bin Laden's Interview with ABC News

In May 1998, Osama bin Laden claimed in an interview with ABC News 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".

December 1998: Bin Laden's Interview with Rahimullah Yusufzai

In December 1998, Osama bin Laden stated in an interview with Pakistani journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, 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.

October 1999: Al-Qaeda Designated as Terrorist Organization

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

September 11, 2001: Bin Laden's Interview with Hamid Mir

Two months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Osama bin Laden gave an interview to Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir where he discussed the attacks.

2001: Supervised 9/11 Attacks

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

2002: Bin Laden's Letter to the American People

In 2002, Osama bin Laden published his Letter to the American People where he described the formation of the Israeli state as "a crime which must be erased". He also demanded that the United States withdraw all of its civilians and military personnel from the Arabian Peninsula, as well as from all Muslim lands.

2002: Bin Laden's Letter on Jewish Control

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: Criticized U.S. Governance

In late 2002, Bin Laden criticized the U.S. for its secular form of governance.

2004: Bin Laden's tape broadcast by Al Jazeera

In a 2004 tape broadcast by Al Jazeera, Osama bin Laden spoke of "bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy", outlining his strategy to weaken the U.S. through prolonged engagement in Muslim countries.

2006: Alleged Start of Bin Laden's Imprisonment by ISI

In 2006, according to Seymour M. Hersh, Osama bin Laden became a prisoner of the ISI at the Abbottabad compound.

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.

2014: Report Claims ISI Director Knew of Bin Laden's Presence

In 2014, Carlotta Gall reported in The New York Times Magazine that ISI Director General Ahmad Shuja Pasha knew of Osama bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad.

2015: Hersh Asserts Bin Laden Was Prisoner of ISI Since 2006

In 2015, Seymour M. Hersh asserted in a London Review of Books article 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.

2019: Lack of Direct Evidence of Pakistani Knowledge of Bin Laden

As of 2019, Coll states that there is no direct evidence showing Pakistani knowledge of Osama bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad.

2019: Imran Khan Claims Pakistani Intelligence Led CIA to Bin Laden

In 2019, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan claimed that Pakistani intelligence led the CIA to Osama bin Laden.

June 2020: Imran Khan Praises Bin Laden in Parliament

During a June 2020 Pakistani parliament session, Prime Minister Imran Khan denounced Osama bin Laden's killing, calling it "an embarrassing moment" and praised Bin Laden as a Shaheed (martyr).