Early Life and Education

Osama bin Laden was born in 1957 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to a wealthy family. His father, Mohammed bin Laden, was a successful businessman in construction. This privilege gave Osama access to a good education and religious teachings. Early on, he developed strong conservative beliefs that became more intense over time.

Turning Point in Afghanistan

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s marked a major turning point in bin Laden’s life. He began providing financial and logistical support to Afghan fighters (mujahideen) resisting Soviet forces. This experience strengthened his belief in the power of jihad, which he saw as a tool to fight foreign influence in Muslim lands. Although the West initially supported the fight against the Soviet Union, bin Laden’s views became more extreme, eventually opposing Western powers as well.

Founding of al-Qaeda

In 1988, bin Laden established al-Qaeda, initially as a network to support various jihadist movements. Soon, it transformed into an organization dedicated to fighting Western influence, particularly in the Middle East. Through al-Qaeda, he orchestrated attacks on U.S. targets overseas, which brought him to international attention. The height of his extremism came with the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This event forever changed global security.

A Global Manhunt

The 9/11 attacks led to the U.S.-led War on Terror, with a mission to dismantle al-Qaeda and capture bin Laden. For almost a decade, he evaded capture. Finally, on May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy SEALs located and killed him in Abbottabad, Pakistan. This brought some closure, yet the impact of his actions remained strong.

Lasting Legacy

Osama bin Laden’s actions reshaped global security and how nations approach the fight against terrorism. His legacy continues to serve as a warning about the dangers of radical ideologies and their devastating impact on world peace.