In 2001, Osama bin Laden, the founder and leader of the extremist group

al-Qaeda, was prominently involved in the planning and execution of the

September 11 attacks in the United States. On September 11, 2001,
terrorists associated with al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes.

The hijackers crashed two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World
Trade Center in New York City, causing the towers to collapse. Another
plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while the fourth
plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after
passengers bravely attempted to regain control from the hijackers.

The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused
significant destruction. The events of September 11, 2001, had a profound
impact on global politics, leading the United States to launch the War on
Terror, with a primary focus on Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime
provided a safe haven for al-Qaeda.

Osama bin Laden was the primary mastermind behind the attacks, and his
role made him a key target for the United States and its allies. The hunt for
bin Laden continued for years, and he managed to evade capture until May
2, 2011, when he was located and killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in a raid on his
compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The death of bin Laden was a
significant milestone in the global fight against terrorism.