Osama bin Laden (1957-2011) was a prominent figure in global terrorism, particularly known as the founder and leader of the extremist group al-Qaeda. Born in Saudi Arabia, bin Laden was driven by his radical interpretation of Islam and a deep resentment towards Western influence in the Arab and Muslim world.
Bin Laden first gained international attention in the 1990s when he orchestrated several deadly terrorist attacks, most notably the bombings of the United States embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. However, he became a household name worldwide after the horrific events of September 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda carried out coordinated suicide attacks on American soil, targeting the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
This act of terrorism resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 innocent civilians and led to a significant shift in global security policies. Bin Laden became one of the most wanted men in the world and prompted a large-scale manhunt by the United States and its allies.
After evading capture for nearly a decade, bin Laden was eventually located and killed by U.S. Special Forces in a raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011. His death marked a major blow to al-Qaeda, but the extremist ideology he propagated continues to influence countless individuals and groups worldwide.
Osama bin Laden's actions and his role as the leader of al-Qaeda have had a profound impact on global counterterrorism efforts, shaping the way governments and organizations combat terrorism and address security concerns.
