US Airstrikes began on Kabul by 5pm EST September 11, 2001 George W. Bush announced Sunday that he has ordered U.S. military strikes on Afghanistan due to the ruling Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden and other members of his terrorist network.Shortly after 12:30 p.m. EDT, several large explosions accompanied by the sounds of anti-aircraft fire were reported in the capital of Kabul, where night had already fallen. The Pentagon has since revealed that 50 cruise missiles were launched from U.S. and British ships and submarines at various targets.According to the Pentagon, 15 land-based and 25 carrier-based American bombers were also involved in the attack, which targeted numerous military installations, air defenses and terrorist camps throughout Afghanistan over a period of several hours. In a televised address within a half hour of the initial blasts, the President confirmed that he had ordered "carefully targeted" attacks for the Taliban's continual refusal to hand over bin Laden and other suspected terrorists."More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: Close terrorist training camps, hand over leaders of the Al Qaeda network and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens, unjustly detained in your country," said Bush. "None of these demands were met. And now, the Taliban will pay a price."Bush also indicated that further forces besides airpower may be needed to accomplish the U.S. objective: "Initially the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hiding places. Our military action is also designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to justice."Bush emphasized that the attack was against the Taliban rulers and not the people of Afghanistan or the religion of Islam. Bush said millions of dollars in American humanitarian aid will still be sent to Afghanistan for the expected mass exodus of refugees, even while more military strikes may be launched.As a security precaution, Vice President Dick Cheney was removed to a secret location.The Bush administration has pressured the Taliban for weeks to hand over bin Laden, considered the prime suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, in which over 5,000 people are presumed to have died. The Taliban have repeatedly refused, demanding that the U.S. offer evidence proving his guilt. Hours earlier Sunday, the Taliban had offered to try bin Laden in Afghanistan under Islamic law if the U.S. were to provide the evidence and remove the threat of military action. But the Bush administration rejected that offer as it has others, standing firm in its demand for an unconditional surrender as strikes were launched.The first reported response of the Taliban to the attacks Sunday came from the ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, who said, "We are ready for jihad." He reportedly declared the U.S. action a "terrorist act," saying America "will never reach its goal." Zaeef also reportedly said that bin Laden and Taliban head Mullah Mohammed Omar both survived the first wave of attacks in Afghanistan. "By the grace of God, Mullah Omar and bin Laden are alive," he said without elaborating or saying whether they were near any of the targets. Breaking his silence in a video broadcast by an Arab satellite network after the attacks but apparently recorded beforehand, bin Laden himself described the attacks on Afghanistan a "war on Islam" and called on Muslims worldwide to join the conflict against the United States. "America was hit by God in one of its softest spots. America is full of fear from its north to its south, from its west to its east. Thank God for that," bin Laden, dressed in fatigues against a mountainside, said in the rare public statement."And to America, I say to it and to its people this: I swear by God the Great, America will never dream nor those who live in America will never taste security and safety unless we feel security and safety in our land and in Palestine," he said, without ever claiming any direct responsibility for the September 11 attacks.
Weeks of U.S. military buildup in the area preceded Sunday's actions, after suspicion fell almost immediately on bin Laden and his followers for last month's attacks. Bin Laden, also wanted by U.S. authorities in connection with the 1998 African embassy bombings and the attack on the USS Cole last year, has had safe haven in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power after years of civil war in 1996 and established an Islamic fundamentalist regime.
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Iraq War. Baghdad, March 21, 2003.by azulchannel11,708 views
I have just come from Mass. It is so conforting that my church not only had remembered the American victims,but also the Aghanistanian people who died in the revenge raid that the Americans ruthlessly performed after the attack on 9/11. Most important is to acknowledge that there must be forgiveness and peace at last. My prayers today are for ALL the victims too. May God spread his Eternal light on all victim. Amen.
swaingles 5 months ago
Hard to believe this war has been going on for almost 10 years. God bless our troops. And allies.
ExhibitJ92 8 months ago 2
@Tim1101 Please. WHERE'S YOUR FUCKING PROOF? You do realize that all but 3 of the 9/11 hijackers moved here to the U.S. and were taking flying lessons when Bubba Clinton was President, correct? Or that the WTC had already been attacked once in 1993? Maybe it was the evidence that turned up later, when they were videotaping the outside of the Twin Towers back in the 1990s, when GWB had nothing to do with politics and was owner of the Texas Rangers. STFU with your conspiracy bullshit.
336kgf 10 months ago
U.S TROOPS SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN
www41WorldUSAcom 11 months ago
oct 7 is my birth day :(
dchobo1 1 year ago
"Operation Enduring Freedom" lol
"Hi Orwell, hows it going?"
1madaboutguitar 1 year ago
@VexZee Well obviously. That's why the Bush Administration and the neocons planned 9/11.
Tim1101 1 year ago
Afghanistan war = Heron and oil pipeline
Also it equals a US presence in central Asia.
Also US now surrounds China.
VexZee 1 year ago