In 1968, a devastating helicopter accident claimed the life of Osama Bin Laden’s father. At a tender age of thirteen, Osama unexpectedly inherited a colossal sum of eighty million dollars. With this unexpected fortune, he pursued his educational endeavors in the field of engineering at the prestigious University of Jeddah. It was during his time there that destiny intervened and brought him into contact with Professor Sheik Abdullah Azzam, a renowned Islamic fundamentalist. This influential figure strongly advocated for the liberation of the Islamic cause from external dominance and a steadfast adherence to the core principles of the Islamic faith. Sheik Abdullah Azzam’s inspiring teachings left an indelible mark on Osama’s future undertakings. In the year 1979, Osama Bin Laden became part of the family enterprise as an engineer serving the Saudi royal family, channeling his skills and resources towards their projects.
In the midst of tense relations between the Egyptian and Israeli governments, Osama Bin Laden aligned himself with the principles of Islamic fundamentalism. In a parallel occurrence, the Shah regime in Iran was overthrown by the Islamic revolution and Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviets. Realizing the need for action, Bin Laden abandoned his previous endeavors and joined the armed opposition against the Russian military occupation. Motivated by the principles of Jihad, he actively participated in the holy war, answering its call.
In his role, he had the responsibility of gathering funds to support the activities of Islamist groups as they fought against the Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Additionally, he spread his extremist beliefs through aggressive writings targeting the Communist regime. As the year 1980 rolled around, his efforts shifted towards recruiting pro-Afghan rebels and establishing their initial training camps.Throughout the duration of the war, Osama Bin Laden took part in various construction projects, which included the excavation of tunnels, bunkers, and the development of a mountain road. Furthermore, he made alterations to sacred sites, a feat that earned him great acclaim amongst the Arab population, solidifying his heroic status.
Everything turned upside down when the United States agency made a pledge of economic assistance to Osama Bin Laden, which unfortunately never materialized due to pressure from Saudi Arabia on the White House. In response, the Saudi ruler Fadh swiftly attacked the radical Islamic guerrilla and shut down their training centers. Naturally, this was seen as a betrayal by Osama, fueling his animosity towards both the Saudi royal family and the US government.
After the clash, Al-Qaeda emerged under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden with the purpose of bringing together Arab veterans who had fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Their ultimate goal was to establish a global pan-Islamic caliphate, overthrow regimes that contradicted their beliefs, and remove Western citizens from Muslim nations to preserve their own cultural identity. Al-Qaeda had operational bases scattered across various countries including Algeria, Uzbekistan, Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Lebanon, Iraq, Kosovo, Chechnya, the West Bank, and Gaza.
During the Gulf War, the US government sent troops to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, a move that greatly angered Osama. As a result, Al Qaeda launched an attack on the Saudi royal family in 1990, causing them to be exiled and lose their citizenship. Osama then sought refuge in Sudan, but due to pressure from the US, he was forced to leave. Finally, in 1996, he found residence in Afghanistan where he got connected with the leader of the emerging Taliban regime, Mullah Muhammad Omar. He even married off one of his daughters and built an opulent mansion, making a home for himself, his four wives, and thirteen children.
Once this happened, he became the ultimate foe of the American people. Osama Bin Laden established fresh edification centers for the Islamic insurgents, positioning them amidst Khartoum and the desolate Afghan region. These groups of devout fighters were dispatched to various destinations such as North Africa, Chechnya, Tajikistan, and even Bosnia. President Clinton granted permission to the CIA to employ any possible measures to eradicate the wealthy Saudi individual and eradicate the intricate network of power and military might he had formed.
Following a disastrous event, President George Bush and his government acted decisively by putting intense pressure on the Al Qaeda leader, who sought refuge in the Tora Bora mountains. The Afghan skies were witness to an array of missiles launched from US and British submarines, long-range bombers, and fighter-bombers. Several countries, including Canada, Australia, Germany, and France, threw their support behind President Bush in this war. Ultimately, on May 2, 2011, Osama Bin Laden met his end as a result of a carefully executed intelligence operation conducted by 24 American troops in Pakistan during President Barack Obama’s tenure. Reports suggest that Bin Laden was captured and subsequently executed by the American forces.