Then in 1991, the group relocated to the Sudan where it was headquartered until approximately 1996, when Bin Laden, Mohammed Atef and other members of Al-Qaeda returned to Afghanistan. Fourth, Al-Qaeda opposed the United States Government because of the arrest, conviction and imprisonment of persons belonging to Al-Qaeda or its affiliated terrorist groups or with whom it worked, including Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, who was convicted in the first World Trade Center bombing.įrom its inception until approximately 1991, the group was headquartered in Afghanistan and Peshawar, Pakistan.

In particular, Al-Qaeda opposed the continued presence of American military forces in Saudi Arabia (and elsewhere on the Saudi Arabian peninsula) following the Gulf War. Third, Al-Qaeda opposed the involvement of the United States armed forces in the Gulf War in 1991 and in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 19, which were viewed by Al-Qaeda as pretextual preparations for an American occupation of Islamic countries. Second, the United States was viewed as providing essential support for other 'infidel' governments and institutions, particularly the governments of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the nation of Israel and the United Nations organization, which were regarded as enemies of the group. First, the United States was regarded as an 'infidel' because it was not governed in a manner consistent with the group's extremist interpretation of Islam. Members of Al-Qaeda issued fatwahs (rulings on Islamic law) indicating that such attacks were both proper and necessary.Īl-Qaeda opposed the United States for several reasons. One of the principal goals of Al-Qaeda was to drive the United States armed forces out of Saudi Arabia (and elsewhere on the Saudi Arabian peninsula) and Somalia by violence. By 1990 Al-Qaeda was providing military and intelligence training in various areas including Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Sudan, for the use of Al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups, including the Al-Jihad (Islamic Jihad) organization.

citizens to travel throughout the Western world to deliver messages and engage in financial transactions for the benefit of Al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups and to help carry out operations. Al-Qaeda began to provide training camps and guesthouses in various areas for the use of Al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups. The group grew out of the 'mekhtab al khidemat' (the Services Office) organization which maintained offices in various parts of the world, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. Sometime in 1989, Al-Qaeda dedicated itself to further opposing non-Islamic governments in this region with force and violence. This antagonism began to be refocused against the U.S.

Trained Mujahedin fighters from Afghanistan began returning to such countries as Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, with extensive 'jihad' experience and the desire to continue the 'jihad'. The resulting 'victory' in Afghanistan gave rise to the overall 'Jihad' (Holy War) movement.

'Al-Qaeda' ('The Base') was developed by Usama Bin Laden and others in the early 1980's to support the war effort in Afghanistan against the Soviets. I am pleased to appear before the Subcommittee to discuss Al Qaeda International. Caruso and I am the Acting Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. Good morning, Madam Chairwoman and Members of the Subcommittee.

Dc organizer terrorist ties