9/11 then and now: Do September 2001 attacks still shape our world?
Once in a generation, sometimes once in a lifetime, a singular event blindsides the entire planet. 25 years on, does the memory of the Nine-Eleven attacks against New York's Twin Towers, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania fade into history or is it still as raw and vivid as on that sunny September morning?
In the quarter century since terrorist attacks perpetrated by al-Qaeda infamously destroyed New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the organization founded by Osama bin Laden has continued to play a role in various terrorist operations worldwide. Although it faced significant setbacks, including the death of its founding leader in 2011 and the rise of the Islamic State, al-Qaeda remains a powerful force, particularly in Africa.
Emerging in the late 1980s, al-Qaeda initially gained traction by recruiting Arab militants to fight the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. After the September 11 attacks, bin Laden was expelled from Sudan and took sanctuary in Afghanistan, where he continued to organize attacks against US interests. The September 11 attacks were carried out by 19 hijackers, mostly from Saudi Arabia, who crashed four planes, killing nearly 3,000 people.
Following the attack, the US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, toppling the Taliban and driving al-Qaeda from its base. Bin Laden evaded capture for a decade, periodically releasing messages before being killed by US forces in 2011. His successor, Ayman al-Zawahri, was also killed by a US drone strike in 2022, leaving Seif al-Adel as al-Qaeda's de facto leader.
Al-Qaeda affiliates and affiliates-inspired groups have carried out numerous attacks around the world, including the 2002 nightclub bombing in Bali, the 2004 Madrid train bombings, and the 2005 London subway and bus attacks. Al-Qaeda's influence expanded rapidly after the invasion of Afghanistan, with affiliates emerging in Iraq, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa, including Somalia and West Africa's Sahel region.
Today, al-Qaeda's most active areas are Somalia and the Sahel region, where affiliates have established control over large territories. In Pakistan, the TTP receives support and guidance from al-Qaeda, while the rise of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has caused tensions between al-Qaeda and its rivals. Despite the challenges it has faced, al-Qaeda remains a key player in global terrorism.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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