More than 70 presidential documents released by the CIA during the 25th anniversary of the New York attacks say Osama bin Laden was planning possible attacks against India and several other countries before the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
A briefing dated 28 August 1998 told the then US president that bin Laden, who was identified as the al-Qaeda leader, was considering attacks against India, Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Uganda. The names of some other countries were withheld.
What the documents describe
The documents refer to presidential briefs, which are intelligence updates shared with the US president. Their assessment was that bin Laden could target countries stretching from South Asia to North America.
They also described al-Qaeda’s network in North America, Europe and East Asia as strong enough to make possible attacks on US interests in those regions credible. The material therefore placed the threat beyond the group’s bases and immediate operating areas.
The documents further state that bin Laden and his supporters survived attacks carried out by the US military on al-Qaeda camps. Even after strikes by the United States and other countries, the network continued to operate.
Fighters who were killed were described as being replaced through other training camps, where preparations for further attacks began. The documents say bin Laden was planning attacks against Britain and the United States even while al-Qaeda camps were under aerial attack.
Warnings before 9/11
The material adds to repeated US statements that officials had concerns about the possibility of bin Laden targeting the United States. According to the reporting, US presidents received information about the threat several times between 1998 and 2001.
Bin Laden remained a major target for the United States after the 9/11 attacks. He later found refuge in West Asia, while the United States began its war against terrorism in Afghanistan.
US Navy SEAL commandos later killed bin Laden in a raid on a compound in Pakistan. His successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was subsequently killed in a drone strike. The reporting says al-Qaeda has continued trying to maintain its presence after those operations.
Conclusion
The released documents describe India as one of several countries considered for attack by Osama bin Laden before 9/11 and outline how US officials were warned about the wider al-Qaeda threat between 1998 and 2001.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Was India on Osama bin Laden’s target list?
The documents say India was among the countries bin Laden was considering targeting before 9/11.
Q. When was the briefing about the planned attacks dated?
The briefing was dated 28 August 1998.
Q. Which other countries were named?
Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Uganda were also named. Some other country names were withheld.
Q. How many documents did the CIA release?
The CIA shared more than 70 presidential documents during the 25th anniversary of the New York attacks.
Q. What did the documents say about al-Qaeda’s network?
They described a strong network in North America, Europe and East Asia, making possible attacks on US interests in those regions credible.
Q. What happened to Osama bin Laden?
US Navy SEAL commandos later killed him during a raid on a compound in Pakistan.
Q. Who succeeded bin Laden?
Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded him and was later killed in a drone strike.
