The murky origins of al-Qaeda explained
The murky origins of al-Qaeda explained newspress_en Thu, 09/10/2026 - 05:13 Politics Not all anniversaries receive equal attention, even when they are related. As the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11 arrives, another significant date recently went largely unnoticed. August 23 represented the 30th anniversary of a publication in Al-Quds Al-Arabi , an Arabic-language newspaper based…
The origins of al-Qaeda remain a complex and shadowy subject, as revealed by the 30th anniversary of a 1983 newspaper article penned by Osama bin Laden. The piece, published in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi, contained a bold warning to Americans in Saudi Arabia to leave the country or face dire consequences.
Bin Laden, at the time a relatively obscure figure, was the leader of a group known as al-Qaeda. Two years later, bin Laden and other Islamist leaders from Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh united to form the "World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders," openly declaring war against the United States. This declaration signaled al-Qaeda's aspirations to challenge the mightiest nation in the world directly.
The emergence of al-Qaeda can be traced back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. This event sparked a rallying cry among Muslims worldwide, leading thousands to volunteer for the resistance against the Soviet forces. The CIA's largest covert operation in history aided the mujahideen, the Afghan fighters, in their struggle against the Soviets. Bin Laden and other "Afghan Arabs" formed a small organization to continue the fight, which later became al-Qaeda.
A series of historical events and ideological factors contributed to al-Qaeda's formation. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent reshaping of the Middle East by European powers, notably France and Great Britain, sowed widespread resentment and disunity. The rise of Israel, backed by Western powers and its victories in the 1967 war, created a sense of despair and growing anger towards the secular leadership of Arab states.
The United States' long-standing involvement in the Middle East, driven by its oil interests and support for Israel, further exacerbated tensions. American interventions in Lebanon and its support for Israel during various conflicts, as well as its role in the Gulf War, were viewed as major obstacles by Islamist groups hostile to Western influence.
Al-Qaeda believed that a decisive strike against the United States would prompt a withdrawal of American forces from the region, leaving local governments vulnerable to Islamist takeovers. This strategic calculation was a key factor in al-Qaeda's decision to target the United States. The 9/11 attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives, marked the culmination of al-Qaeda's ambitions and the profound impact of its ideology on global security.
Today, the legacy of al-Qaeda continues to shape the global fight against terrorism, a legacy that remains relevant and potent a quarter of a century after its formation.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
