September 11, 2001. The horrific terrorist attack on the United States transformed global security policy. Nineteen Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger aircraft. Two of these planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, and one struck the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania. Approximately 3,000 people lost their lives in these attacks. Subsequently, the United States launched a military campaign in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda’s established network was dismantled, and its leaders went into hiding. Yet, even years after the 9/11 attacks, a major question remains: Has Al-Qaeda been completely eliminated? The direct answer is no. While the organization’s original structure has weakened, its ideology and affiliated regional groups reportedly remain active in various regions today. Its influence, particularly in Africa, has become a cause for concern.
What is Al-Qaeda?
Al-Qaeda was formed in the late 1980s under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. Laden mobilized personnel and resources for Arab militants fighting against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Subsequently, the network became the hub of violent campaigns against the United States and its allies. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; 224 people lost their lives in these attacks. Three years later, the 9/11 attacks transformed Al-Qaeda into the most notorious name associated with terrorism worldwide.
What happened to Al-Qaeda’s leaders after 9/11?
Following the US military campaign in Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda was forced to abandon its long-held safe haven. In December 2001, US forces and anti-Taliban troops launched a military operation against Al-Qaeda strongholds in the Tora Bora region; however, Bin Laden managed to escape. Nearly a decade later, in 2011, US Special Forces killed Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the 9/11 plot, was arrested in Pakistan in 2003; he remains in custody at Guantanamo Bay. After Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri assumed leadership of the organization. He was killed in a US drone strike in Kabul in 2022. Currently, the actual leadership of Al-Qaeda is said to be in the hands of the Egyptian national Saif al-Adel.
Why was Al-Qaeda not eliminated?
At the time of 9/11, Al-Qaeda was a relatively centralized network. Today, various affiliated regional organizations operate within their respective areas. In other words, Al-Qaeda’s strength no longer relies solely on its central leadership; the affiliated organizations and its ideology have kept its influence alive.
How did its influence grow after 9/11?
Organizations affiliated with Al-Qaeda, or those influenced by its ideology, have carried out attacks in various countries. The 2002 attack in Bali, Indonesia, claimed 202 lives. More than 190 people lost their lives in the 2004 Madrid train bombings. In 2005, 52 people died in suicide attacks on trains and buses in London. During this period, various branches of Al-Qaeda also emerged. A powerful faction was formed in Iraq. Later, affiliated organizations became active in North Africa, Yemen, and Syria as well. Al-Shabaab in Africa and JNIM (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin) in the Sahel region are considered its major allied organizations.
Who is Al-Qaeda’s biggest rival?
Interestingly, the United States was not Al-Qaeda’s only major challenge. The Islamic State (ISIS), which emerged from its former network, also became a major rival. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi broke away from Al-Qaeda and declared a so-called caliphate across vast areas of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Subsequently, a struggle for dominance ensued between Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. For a time, the Islamic State overshadowed Al-Qaeda; however, its territorial control in Iraq and Syria eventually collapsed. Despite this, groups affiliated with both organizations continue to vie for influence and territory, particularly in Africa.
Where is Al-Qaeda most active today?
Africa is currently one of the most important regions for Al-Qaeda. Somalia and the Sahel region of West Africa have emerged as key hubs. Organizations like Al-Shabaab and JNIM are reportedly expanding their influence by exploiting weak governance, local conflicts, and a lack of security infrastructure. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is also active in Pakistan. A United Nations report has highlighted ideological, training, and other forms of links between Al-Qaeda and the TTP.
How significant is the Afghanistan connection?
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has consistently alleged that TTP leaders are based in Afghanistan. A United Nations report has also expressed concern regarding Al-Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan and its ties with the Taliban. However, the Taliban has consistently denied these allegations. According to the Taliban, Afghan soil will not be allowed to be used for terrorist activities against other nations.
How has Al-Qaeda changed over the last 25 years?
The most significant change in Al-Qaeda over the past 25 years is that it no longer operates merely as a single organization but functions as an extensive network. The killing of notorious terrorist leaders like Bin Laden and Zawahiri has weakened the organization’s central authority. However…
