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Operation Cyclone
It was a program to arm and finance the Afghan Mujahideen. It was during the Soviet war. The program leaned towards supporting Islamic groups. This was the longest and most expensive CIA operation every undertaken. -
Afghan Mujahideen is Formed
A mujahid is one who strives or struggles on behalf of Islam. The self named mujahideen are the guerrilla fighters who battled the Soviet army when the Soviet withdrew in defeat. The Mujahideen fought under the command of tribal leaders. They were viewed as "freedom fighters". -
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Soviet-Afghan War
This was the conflict between anti-Communist Muslim Afghan mujahidin and Afghan government and Soviet forces. More than 5 million people died. This war left Afghanistan with economical and political problems. -
Al-Qaeda is Founded
Al-Qaeda was formed at a meeting attended by Bin Laden. Characteristics of Al-Qaeda include suicide bombings and bombings of different targets. The individuals in this group have undergone training in one of Afghanistan's camps. -
Taliban allows Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan
The Taliban was ruling from 1996 to 2001. Taliban gave refuge to Al-Qaeda. They let them operate in Afghabistan. They also let them train there. When they arrived they kept them apart from Taliban fighters who resented Al-Qaeda. -
First Al-Qaeda Attack in Yemen
A bomb went off at the Gold Mohur hotel, where U.S. troops had been staying on route to Somalia. The troops though, had already left when the bomb exploded. The bombers then targeted another hotel they thought the troops might also be staying at. That bomb went off around the same time the other one did, killing two people. -
World Trade Center Bombing (not same as 9/11)
In retaliation gainst the U.S. support of Israel, two men parked a truck in a public parking garage beneth the World Trade Center. They had a 1/2 ton bomb. The blast did not destroy the towers like they had hoped. Six people had died and more than 1,000 we injured. -
U.S. Embassy Bombings
This happened in Nairobi, Kenya and ledt 258 people dead. A suicide bomber drove a truck packed with explosives up to the gates of the U.S. embassy. The U.S. responded by launching cruise missiles hitting a terrorism training camp in Afghanistan. -
Osama Bin Laden is Killed
Osama Bin Ladin was the founder and head of the group Al-Qaeda. He was killed in Pakistan by the U.S. Navy Seals and the U.S. army. His body was taken to Afghanistan for identification and was buried at sea within 24 hours of his death.
