Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida or al-Qa'ida, is a global Sunni terrorist organization. The name "al-Qaeda" translates to "the base" in Arabic.

History

The organization was founded by Palestinian terrorist activist Abdullah Azzam in 1988. It operated under the leadership and training of Saudi arch-terrorist Osama bin Laden from 1989 until his liquidation in 2011. Following bin Laden's death, Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian terrorist, took over as the leader of Al-Qaeda in June 2011. He remained at the helm until his assassination in July 2022.

Activities

Al-Qaeda is responsible for large-scale terrorist attacks that have resulted in the deaths and injuries of thousands of people worldwide, particularly in the United States. The organization's activities include harm to civilian populations and holy sites of various religions. Al-Qaeda has been involved in numerous terrorist operations, including the September 11 attacks.

Branches and Subgroups

Al-Qaeda operates as a network of international terrorism with branches and subgroups in several Islamic countries. Some notable branches and subgroups include:

* Al-Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), operating in North Africa
* Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), operating in Yemen and Saudi Arabia
* Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as Tahrir al-Sham, a Syrian branch that was previously affiliated with Al-Qaeda

Origins

Originally, Al-Qaeda continued to expand the resistance movement struggle against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The organization's ideology is rooted in jihadist principles, which emphasize the need for armed resistance against perceived enemies of Islam.

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