History of Osama bin Laden in Timeline

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

March 1957: Osama bin Laden's birth

In March 1957, Osama bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia.

1967: Death of Mohammed bin Laden

In 1967, Osama bin Laden's father, Mohammed bin Laden, died in an airplane crash in Saudi Arabia.

1968: Attended Al-Thager Model School

From 1968, Osama bin Laden attended the elite Al-Thager Model School.

1971: Attended English-language course in Oxford

In 1971, Osama bin Laden attended an English-language course in Oxford, England.

1974: Married Najwa Ghanem

In 1974, at the age of 17, Osama bin Laden married Najwa Ghanem in Latakia, Syria.

1976: Graduated from Al-Thager Model School

Until 1976, Osama bin Laden attended the elite Al-Thager Model School.

1979: Joined the Mujahideen

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

1979: Possible Civil Engineering Degree

In 1979, Osama bin Laden may have earned a degree in civil engineering.

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.

1981: Possible Public Administration Degree

In 1981, Osama bin Laden may have earned a degree in public administration.

1983: Married Khadijah Sharif

In 1983, Osama bin Laden married Khadijah Sharif.

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.

1985: Married Khairiah Sabar

In 1985, Osama bin Laden married Khairiah Sabar.

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.

1987: Married Siham Sabar

In 1987, Osama bin Laden married Siham Sabar.

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.

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: Death of Salem bin Laden

In 1988, Osama bin Laden's eldest half-brother, Salem bin Laden, was killed in the U.S. when he accidentally flew a plane into power lines.

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.

February 1989: Soviet Withdrawal and Bin Laden's Return

Following the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan in February 1989, Osama bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero of 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.

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.

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.

1991: Expulsion from Saudi Arabia

In 1991, Osama bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia by its government after repeatedly criticizing the Saudi alliance with the United States. He and his followers moved first to Afghanistan and then relocated to Sudan by 1992.

1991: Criticism and House Arrest

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.

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.

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.

1992: US Aid to Mujahideen Ends

From 1979 to 1992, the U.S. (as part of CIA activities in Afghanistan, specifically Operation Cyclone), 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'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: Nosair Conviction in World Trade Center Bombing

El Sayyid Nosair was eventually convicted in connection to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

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.

1997: Al-Bahri Became Bin Laden's Bodyguard

From 1997, Nasser al-Bahri was Bin Laden's personal bodyguard.

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.

2000: Married Amal al-Sadah

In 2000, Osama bin Laden married Amal al-Sadah.

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.

September 2001: Najwa Ghanem left Afghanistan

On 9 September 2001, Najwa Ghanem left Afghanistan, two days before the 9/11 attacks.

2001: Construction of Abbottabad Compound Begins

Imagery from Google Earth indicates that the Abbottabad compound where Osama Bin Laden was found was built between 2001 and 2005.

2001: Supervised 9/11 Attacks

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

2001: Al-Bahri Stopped Being Bin Laden's Bodyguard

Until 2001, Nasser al-Bahri was Bin Laden's personal bodyguard.

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.

2005: Construction of Abbottabad Compound Completed

Imagery from Google Earth indicates that the Abbottabad compound where Osama Bin Laden was found was built between 2001 and 2005.

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.

February 2009: Taliban Detainee Claims Bin Laden Sighting in Afghanistan

Early in February 2009, a Taliban detainee in Pakistan claimed he had information that Osama bin Laden was in Afghanistan. He stated that in February 2009, he met a contact who had seen Bin Laden in Afghanistan about 15 to 20 days earlier.

March 2009: Hunt for Bin Laden Centered in Chitral District

In March 2009, the New York Daily News reported that the hunt for Osama bin Laden had centered in the Chitral District of Pakistan, including the Kalam Valley. It was stated that captured al-Qaeda leaders had confirmed that Bin Laden was hiding in Chitral.

December 2009: U.S. Officials Comment on Bin Laden's Whereabouts

In December 2009, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that the United States had had no reliable information on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden in years. On December 9th, General Stanley McChrystal indicated that al-Qaeda would not be defeated unless Bin Laden was captured or killed.

February 2010: Afghan President's Visit to Saudi Arabia

On February 2nd, 2010, Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible Saudi role in reintegrating Taliban militants. A Saudi official stated that the kingdom would not participate in peacemaking unless the Taliban cut ties with extremists and expelled Osama bin Laden.

June 2010: Report of Bin Laden Hiding in Iran

On June 7, 2010, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Seyassah reported that Osama bin Laden was hiding in Sabzevar, Iran. This claim was later repeated on June 9th, but turned out to be false.

October 2010: NATO Official Suggests Bin Laden Living in Pakistan

On October 18, 2010, an unnamed NATO official suggested that Osama bin Laden was alive, well, and living comfortably in Pakistan, protected by elements of the country's intelligence services. A senior Pakistani official denied these allegations.

2010: Bin Laden's Children in Iran

As of 2010, Iranian authorities reportedly continue to control the movements of many of Bin Laden's children who fled to Iran following the September 11 attacks.

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.

April 2011: Obama Orders Operation Neptune Spear

In April 2011, Barack Obama ordered Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

April 2011: Bin Laden Traced to Abbottabad, Pakistan

In April 2011, U.S. intelligence traced Osama bin Laden to a three-story mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan, 160 km from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

May 2011: Osama bin Laden's death

In May 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed.

May 2011: Death by U.S. Special Operations Forces

On 2 May 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. special operations forces at his compound in Abbottabad.

May 2011: Osama bin Laden Killed in Abbottabad

Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011, shortly after 1:00 AM local time (4:00 PM Eastern Time on May 1, 2011), during Operation Neptune Spear, a U.S. military special operations raid ordered by Barack Obama.

June 2011: Ayman al-Zawahiri Succeeded Bin Laden

On 16 June 2011, Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded Osama bin Laden.

June 2011: U.S. Drops Criminal Charges Against Bin Laden

On June 15, 2011, U.S. federal prosecutors officially dropped all criminal charges against Osama bin Laden after his death.

2011: Decline in Support for Bin Laden and al-Qaeda

In 2011, The Pew Research Center found that support for Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda had declined steadily across a number of Muslim countries, and was as low as 1% in Lebanon.

February 2012: Demolition of Bin Laden's Compound

In February 2012, Pakistani authorities demolished the compound in Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was killed.

March 2012: Report on Bin Laden's Movements While Underground

On March 29, 2012, the Pakistani newspaper Dawn acquired a report detailing Osama bin Laden's movements while living underground in Pakistan, based on the interrogation of his three surviving wives.

February 2013: Pakistan Announces Plans for Amusement Park

In February 2013, Pakistan announced plans to build a PKR 265 million (US$30 million) amusement park in the area of Osama bin Laden's former hideout.

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).