23 Aug 1996

Bin Laden declares war on the United States

Topics: SHSU2

Bin Laden was living in Afghanistan in 1996 after being forced out of Sudan. He had lost most of his wealth and had become somewhat irrelevant on the world stage. He likened his “banishment” to Afghanistan to Mohammed’s time in Mecca. Bin Laden’s hijira included the use of the cave as a symbol, just like Mohammed. Although he was weakened and living in poverty, bin Laden declared war on America in a treatise to all Muslims.

Added by

Johnny Ward

“Message from Osama bin Laden to his Muslim brothers in the whole world and especially in the Arabian Peninsula: declaration of jihad against the Americans occupying the Land of the Two Holy Mosques (Saudi Arabia); expel the heretics from the Arabian Peninsula.”

— Bin Laden

Added by

Johnny Ward

Source: Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/terrorism_america/bin_l.asp