Year / "Big picture" developments / Terrorist attacks and "tactical" counterterrorist actions / U.S. "strategic" responses to the terrorist threat / Other intelligence actions and issues
1993 / Bin Ladin in Sudan
26 Apr. [Intelligence warns that [ ] is increasingly convinced that U.S. is working for its overthrow, and may be preparing to sponsor terrorist attacks against U.S.
Interests in the country.
May .[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
26 Feb. World Trade Center bombing.
20 Mar. Sarin gas attack in Tokyo subway kills 12, sickens 5000. Aum Shinrikyo responsible.
23 Mar. Rendition of Abu Halima, suspect in World Trade Center bombing [ ] to FBI custody.
14 Apr. Iraqi Intelligence Service attempt to assassinate former President Bush in Kuwait thwarted.
24 Jun. Arrest of 8 subjects- including 5 Sudanese-plotting to bomb NY City landmarks-U.N. building, 26 Federal Plaza, and Lincoln/Holland tunnels.
2 Jul. Shaykh Abdel Rahman is detained by FBI in connection with the World Trade Center bombing.
25 Aug, Shaykh Rahman is indicted. Rahman is the spiritual leader of both Gama'at al- Islamiya and Egyptian Islamic Jihad.
2 Apr. [CIA paper characterizes UBL as Independent actor [who] sometimes works with other individuals or governments [ ] [ ] [to] promote militant Islamic causes throughout the region. . . " [His group almost certainly played a role in an earlier bombing directed against U.S. interests].
20 Apr. NID: [Hundreds of Islamic militants received training during the past year at military camps in Afghanistan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Sep. [CIA file summary prepared on UBL reports that [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Sep. CIA HQ sends requirements to overseas stations to assess vulnerability of UBL network [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
30 Nov. [Identification of intelligence targets associated with UBL and terrorist-related activities].
1994
[ ] Feb. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
9 Mar. UBL denies link with terrorism in interview with London-based Saudi opposition paper, Al Quds Al-Arabi.
14 Aug. Sudan hands over Carlos the Jackal to France.
Fall. Taliban movement established in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
11 Dec. Philippines airliner bombed. 1 passenger killed.
24 Dec. Members of the Armed Islamic Group seized an Air France flight to Algeria; they apparently intended to crash it into the Eiffel Tower. The four terrorists were killed during a rescue effort.
30 May. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
11Oct. CIA Office of Inspector General inspection of CIA's Counterterrorist Center finds that threats posed by some state- sponsored and leftwing terrorist groups have declined while threats from radical religious, ethnic, and non-government terrorist groups have increased. . . Biggest weakness was limited ability to warn of impending attack. Difficulty of penetrating terrorist groups caused this weakness..
1995
[ ] Nov. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
7 Jan. Philippine police discover Ramzi Yousefs bombmaking lab and arrest accomplice Abdul Hakjm Murad. Captured materials revealed Yousef's plot to blow up the Pope, U.S., and Israeli embassies in Manila, United Airlines aircraft flyjng Asian routes, and to crash a plane into CIA HQ. Murad also tells Philippine authorities that Yousef was involved in the World Trade Center bombing and planted bomb on the Philippine airliner in Dec 94.
10 Feb. Ramzi Yousef extradition from Pakistan.
19 Apr. Bombing of Murrah Federal Bldg in Oklahoma City.
Jun. Assassination attempt on Mubarak in Addis Ababa. UBL- authorized operation. Linkages to Egyptian Islamic Jihad and Egyptian al-Gama'at Islamiya.
[-] Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[-] Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
13 Nov. Office of Personnel Management/Saudi National Guard facility in Riyadh bombed. Five Americans killed in this incident. Information eventually suggests UBL and CDLR were responsible. [ ] [ ].
[ ] Dec. Ramzi Yousef associate and al-Oaida lieutenant Wali Khan Amin Shah is captured [ ] [ ]. He is deported to the United States and convicted. on terrorism charges.
25 Jan. CTC briefs NSC. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
2 Mar. President signs Presidential Decision Directive 35 providing overarching intelligence guidance. Terrorism is a Tier 1 B issue. Intelligence requirements: collection information on plans/intentions inside terrorist circles, increase Near East, South Asia, and Islamic cultural and language expertise, expansion of analytic cadre.
21 Jun. Presidential Decision Directive 39 supersedes NSDD- 207. Calls for reducing terrorist capabilities; aggressive IC program, including covert action; return of indicted terrorist to U.S., including by force if necessary, as a matter of highest priority. Also confirmed and clarified FBI's role in counter- terrorism.
Jul. National Intelligence Estimate on terrorism. Judges that foreign terrorists will attempt an attack in the U.S. in the next year or two. Bombing of World Trade Center crossed a threshold to more large- scale attacks. Most likely threat of attack in the U.S. would be from transient groupings of individuals similar to that drawn together by Ramzi Yousef. Threat also from established groups: Hezbollah, Gama'at al-Islamiya, Hamas, and Jama'a al-Fuqra. (Neither UBL nor al-Oa'ida mentioned. UBL is mentioned as a terrorist financier in a Mar 95 finished intelligence report from CIA's [ ] office)
Spring. [ ] provides most significant reporting on UBL to date [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ]Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ].
Late 1995. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
1996
Spring 1996. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Spring 1996. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
10 Jul. London daily, The Independent, publishes an updated interview with UBL in Afghanistan. UBL declares that the killing of Americans in the Khobar Towers bombing marked the beginning of the war between Muslims and the U.S.
23 Aug. UBL issues a "fatwa" authorizing attacks against Western military targets in the Arabian Peninsula.
3-4 Sep. Operation Desert Strike. Cruise missile strikes against Iraq.
11 Sep. Egyptian government issues an arrest warrant for UBL based on UBL's longtime support of Egyptian terrorist groups like EGI and EIJ.
Sep. Taliban comes to power in Aghanistan; takes Kabul.
Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[Winter. Information indicates UBL considers jihad worldwide.]
Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Feb. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spring 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spring 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
26 May. Saudi government extends formal recognition of the Taliban government of Afghanistan. The decision immediately follows reports that the Taliban have extended their control into northern Afghanistan.
Late 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
25. Jun. Khobar Towers bombing. l19 U.S. service members killed. [A June 2001 U.S. Indictment charged that the Saudi Hezbollah, with support from Iran, carried out the attack. According to the indictment, Iran and its surrogate, the Labense Hezbollah, recruited and trained the bombers, helped direct their surveillance and assisted in planning the attack].
31 Oct. Kenyan authorities arrest and later deport [ ] [ ] [ ] reportedly connected to a terrorist plot against the U.S. embassy in Nairobi.
8 Jan. [UBL] station established in CTC.
15 Feb. U.S. Embassy Khartoum closes.
24 Apr. Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. Directs Secretary of State, in conjunction with Attorney General and Secretary of Treasury to designate any organization that meets certain criteria as a foreign terrorist organization (criteria: must engage in terrorist activity that threatens the security of U.S. nationals or the national security of the United States).
[ ] Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
2 Aug. DCI briefs Democratic leaders: the terrorist threat is increasing, it is a national security issue and human intelligence is at the heart of the effort against terrorism.
22 Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
28 Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Early 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
10 Apr. [DDO briefs SSCI on covert action. UBL unit is running [ ] operations. It is focusing these operations to collect data that can be used to build target packages, which, in turn, can be used in future contingencies to render UBL and/or dismantle the ability of his organization to wage terrorism. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Apr. Update to 1995 terrorism National Intelligence Estimate.
Spring 1997. Foreign liaison service says it is studying the early 1997 proposal for a joint operation [ ].
Nov. Secretary Albright trip to South Asia.
[ ] Apr. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] May. [ ] [ ] [ ]
[Summer 1996. A volunteer claimed that [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Summer 1996. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Summer 1996. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[Late 1996. [ ] reports [ ] indicate that UBL is much more of a terrorist- rather than just a terrorist financier- than the CIA has previously thought. Reporting provides significant new details about UBL and his terrorist support infrastructure known as "Al Qaeda." [Note: first reference to Al Oaeda].
[Late 1996. Bin Ladin Unit develops most detailed information yet regarding UBL's intentions].
[ ] Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
30 Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] One number in Kenya is associated with significant UBL- related activities and individuals, including Wadi el- Hage, one of UBL's most important lieutenants. El-Hage is a dual U.S.- Lebanese citizen.
Early 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Feb. CTC has identified Muhammed Atef as UBL's key lieutenant. Alias Abu Hafs al- Masri.
Spring 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ].
[Fall 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Late 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [].
Late 1997. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
1998
23. Feb. Bin Ladin fatwa calling for jihad against U.S. military and civilian targets anywhere in the world. Fatwa represents a shift from criticizing the states in the region and attacks the U.S. instead.
16 Mar. Letter sent from UBL to Egyptian press complaining about U.S. occupation of the Arabian Peninsula. "Let them rest assured of the weakness and cowardice of American Soldiers. They are fastest to fail and least persevering in the fire of war. We will never forget how they disappeared in the wake of Riyadh and Khobar incidents."
May 11-13. India conducts nuclear tests. Pakistan conducts nuclear tests May 28.
26 May. UBL press conference. UBL declared his supporters would strike U.S. targets in the Gulf. Indicated the results of his jihad would be "visible" within weeks. He also talked about "bringing the war home to America." [Note: this is possibly a call for attacks in the U.S.]
12. Jun. In an interview with a U.S. journalist, UBL indicates he may attack a U.S. military passenger aircraft using antiaircraft missiles. At a press conference in the previous month, he indicated the results of his jihad would be "visible" within weeks.
[ ] Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ].
Jul. UBL remains in Afghanistan, changing his location frequently. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]. He remains on good terms with the Taliban, [Unconfirmed reporting] claimed UBL was considering attacks in the U.S.
21-23 Aug. [Media reports concerning UBL electronic communications.
1 Dec. Intelligence Community assessment of UBL ... "UBL is actively planning against U.S. targets and already may have positioned operatives for at least one operation ... Multiple reports indicate UBL is keenly interested in striking the U.S. on its own soil. According to [ ] [ ], Al Qaeda is recruiting operatives for attacks in the U.S. but has not yet identified potential targets."
17 Dec. Operation Desert Fox. Strikes against Iraq.
Late Dec. "It is a religious duty to acquire weapons of mass destruction to defend Muslims," according to a UBL interview in Christmas 1998. UBL has been seeking CBRN materials, expertise and other resources since the early 1990s.
Jan-Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
May. Police in Europe arrest 60 members of the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GI) to pre-empt threats to the coming World Cup in Paris.
Jun. Officers [ ] [ ] raid homes and NGO offices of Mustafa Majid and Mohammed Fouda [ ] linked to UBL. [ ] [ ] [ ].
Summer 1998. Liaison service captures [ ] a member of a UBL cell in Europe. [ ] [ ] [ ].
7 Aug. UBL bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. 224 killed, 5000 injured.
20 Aug. U.S. military strike against UBL terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and pharmaceutical plant in Sudan suspected of producing chemical weapons.
Fall 1998 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
21 Aug. [Recap: DCI eight committee briefing regarding why CIA concluded that UBL was responsible for the bombings in Afrida. DCI noted large number of renditions of UBL supporters].
[ ] Sep. [ ] [ ], Abu Hajer, who is head of UBL's computer operations and weapons procurements, was arrested abroad. Hajer is the most senior-level UBL operative arrested to date.
18 Sep. DCI briefs members of Congress on bombings. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] DCI noted that the FBI is following 3 or 4 Bin Ladin operatives in the U.S.
[ ] Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
28 Jan. DCI Worldwide Threat Brief. "... issues range from the proliferation of WMD to international terrorism, drug trafficking, information warfare, and international financial turmoil..." "In addition to traditional terrorist groups, the U.S. faces an increasing threat from transnational groups, such as UBL's organization..."
6 Mar. C/CTC, et al., brief Congressional staff on the CTC strategic plan for FY98 ..." [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Apr. U.S. Ambassador to U.N. Richardson visits Kabul and Sherbergan.
18 May. [ ] [ ] [ ]
22 May. President signs PDD-62 on counter-terrorism and PDD-63 on infrastructure protection [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] PDD-63 establishes the national infrastructure Protection Center.
10 Jun. UBL indicted by federal grand jury, Southern District of New York. Sealed indictment. Conspiracy to destroy national defense utilities.
[ ] Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
2 Sep. DCI testimony to SSCI/HPSCI. "Key elements of CIA's offensive strategy against UBL include: hit UBL's infrastructure; work with liaison to break up cells and carry out arrests; disrupt and weaken bin Ladin's businesses and financies; [ ] [ ]; recruit or expose his operatives; ... pressure on the Taliban; and enhancing unilateral capability to capture him.
4 Nov. Bin Ladin and Mohammed Atef Indicted in Southern District of New York. Also announcement made of reward for the two under State Department rewards program.
4 Dec. DCI memo. "We are at war ... I want no resources or people spared in this effort, either inside CIA or the Community."
[ ] Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
10 Mar. C/CTC briefs SSCI staff. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[Summer [ ] [ ] suggest UBL is planning attacks in the U.S. [ ] says plans are to attack in NY and Washington. Information mentions an attack in Washington probably against public places. UBL probably places a high priority on conducting attacks in the U.S. ... CIA has little information about UBL's operatives in the U.S.]
Summer 1998. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Summer 1998. [ ] [ ] [Information indicates that UBL is interested in publicity and attacks involving mass casualties].
29 Jul. CTC warns of possible Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) attack by UBL. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Sep. [Information indicates UBL has considered conducting attacks in the U.S. The near-term threat to Americans is greater in Europe, where UBL's infrastructure is better established].
[Fall 1998. [ ] claimed that UBL's next target would possibly involve flying an explosives-laden aircraft into a U.S. airport and detonating it].
Fall 1998. [Information indicates al-Qa'ida is trying to establish an operative cell within CONUS to strike at the heart of U.S. interests and [ ] [ ] [ ] trying to recruit U.S. citizen Islamists and U.S.-based foreign nationals. No targets were mentioned but NYC was cited as a center of recruitment efforts].
Fall 1998. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Fall 1998. [Collection against UBL satellite phone ends, following media leaks].
Fall 1998. [UAE UBL cell is attempting to recruit a group of 5 to 7 young men from the United States to travel. to the Middle East for training. This is in conjunction with planning to strike U.S. domestic targets.
The report also mentions UBL affiliates in major U.S. cities].
Fall 1998. Several reports note that UBL is considering a new attack, using biol.ogical toxins in food, water, or ventilation systems of U.S. embassies. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Dec. [ ] reports member of UBL was planning operations against U.S. targets. Plans to hijack U.S. aircraft proceeding well. Two individuals [ ] [ ] had successfully evaded checkpoints in a dry run at a NY airport [ ] [ ] [ ]
1999
17 Feb. Operation Noble Anvil. U.S. combat operations against Serbia due to ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
Spring [ ] [ ] the Taliban's fear of airstrikes had led the group to press UBL to act more discreetly. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spring, [ ] UBL supporters in Afghanistan are experimenting with enhancing conventional explosives with radioactive material. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jun. [ ] [ ] began staging first operation to attack a U.S. ship in Yemen.
Jul. Kargil crisis. Kashmir.
[ ] Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jul. [ ] [ ] the Taliban leadership reaffirmed its commitment not to oust UBL.
Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Al Qaeda's capabilities have suffered from arrests of key operatives.
24 Aug. A truck bomb exploded at Mullah Omar's compound in Afghanistan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Aug. Bin Ladin's organization has decided to target high-ranking U.S. officials, including the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and the Director of Central Intelligence, though no particular plans have been made or approved [ ].
12 Oct. Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Musharraf ousts Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless military coup.
Fall 1999. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Late 1999. Al-Mihdar at UBL camp in Afghanistan.
Winter. Muhammad Atta reportedly sighted at UBL facility in Afghanistan. Marwan al-Shehhi at the UBL guesthouse in Kandahar [ ] [ ].
[ ] Jan. [Arrests [ ], including 2 senior operatives, have provided leads to potential targets. Information indicates U.S. naval facility was the principal target. Some terrorist planning continues, including one operation abroad and another in connection with associates in a foreign country. Another report states that [ ] plans an attack soon.
24 Jun. Eight Iraqis tied to al-Qaida arrested in Amman based on tip [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Aug. [ ] [ ].
[ ] Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Nov. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Dec. [Foreign authorities arrested a [ ] team of terrorists which planned New Year's Eve attack on pilgrims in Jordan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Members of the team have direct links to al-Qa'ida [ ] [ ] [ ]
Dec. Senior al-Qaida operatives [ ] detained based on CIA information. [ ] confirm [ ] involvement in facilitating explosives and poisons training for UBL operatives.
Dec. 14. Ahmed Ressam arrested at U.S.-Canadian border with bomb-making chemicals and detonator components. Intended target was Los Angeles International Airport.
[ ] Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Dec. Disruption operations:
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4 Jan. U.S. Attorney General approved establishment of the National Threat Warning System.
Feb. State Department demarches Taliban for supporting UBL [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Feb. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
7 Jun. Director FBI puts Bin Ladin on FBI's "10 Most Wanted List."
24 Jun. DCI at SSCI hearing: "...We have seen numerous reports that Bin Ladin and his associates are planning terrorist attacks against U.S. officials and facilities in a variety of locations, including in the U.S."
[ ] Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jul. Tashkent diplomatic efforts on Afghanistan to influence Taliban, persuade it to expel UBL.
Jul. CTC rethinking disruption operations [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Sep. CTC has engaged with SOCOM and JSOC in capture discussions. JSOC has been tasked to begin planning.
10 Sep. [CTC conference on UBL. "We are at war with UBL. We have been working against UBL for over four years ... during this period, we have been able to:
٠Stop at least two UBL attacks against U.S. interests abroad
٠Render over 30 foreign nationals abroad
٠Significantly damage UBL's infrastructure
٠Put doubt in UBL's mind about security of his operations and operatives]
Oct. 8 State Department designates Al Qaeda a foreign terrorist organization. Current state sponsors of terrorism: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, Cuba.
15 Oct. UN deplores provision of safe haven to UBL and demands his rendering to some country. On 14 Nov. 99, sanctions are to begin which ban most foreign flights of Ariana except for humanitarian need adn the Hajj. Freezes funds for Taliban except on humanitarian groups.
[ ] Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
21 Nov. FBI elevates counter-terrorism to a standing division within FBI HQ separate from the National Security Division. FBI has 26 JTTFs in operation.
[ ] Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
20 Dec. [DCI sends report on Milennium threat to all liaison services. The item describes arrest of Algerian in Seattle and mounting evidence that UBL and other extremists intend to launch attacks against U.S. interests abroad and at home].
Jan. Counterterrorism supplemental enables NSA to initiate development [ ] [ ].
[ ] Jan.[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
May [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
23 Aug. A cooperating witness in the Africa bombings case mentioned that a former U.S. Special Forces member from California, Ali Mohammed, provided training to UBL operatives in Africa and a bombing suspect in Haroun.
27 Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
26 Oct. CTC's priorities are disrupting UBL operations and recruiting penetrations; [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
8 Dec. According to CTC, accepting the theory that UBL wants to inflict maximum casualties, cause massive panic, and score a psychological victory, then UBL may be seeking to attack between 5 and 15 targets on the Millennium. "Because the U.S. is UBL's ultimate goal ... we must assume that several of these targets will be in the U.S. ..."
[ ] Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
2000
5 Jan. Khalid al-Mihdar and Nawaf al-Hazmi hold meetings with a senior UBL field operative in Malaysia and Bangkok between 5 and 8 Jan. 2000.
[ ] Mar. [UBL planning operations to kidnap U.S. diplomats or civilians in [ ] [ ] to hold as bargaining chips. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Mar. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
1 Jul. Atta and Al-Shehhi begin flight training at Huffman Aviation and Jones Flying Services.
[ ] Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
30 Sep. Taliban issued press statement on unknown aircraft seen over Kandahar allegedly looking for UBL.
[ ] Oct. [UBL reportedly forced to postpone bombing of [ ] U.S. embassies. Still planning attacks in several locations [ ] [ ]. Targets include U.S. facility abroad].
21 Dec. Hijackers Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi receive their pilots' licenses.
19 Apr. [Bin Ladin organization is assessed to be in the throes of advanced preparations for a major attack, most probably on an American or Israeli target. The information does not mention the target of the attacks, nor the venue or dates. At the hub of activity is an al-Qa'ida figure. Target and date uncertain. The information implies a bomb against a major target].
23 Apr. The second wave of 9-11 hijackers arrives throughout the easter seaboard between late April and late Jun. 2001.
May. [ ] [ ] extensive efforts [ ] to get a videotape of UBL the widest public airing. Just before East Africa bombings, UBL used media to predict news to [ ].
[Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jun. Reporting [ ] [ ] indicated operatives linked to UBL's organization expect their near-term attacks to have dramatic consequences such as destabilizing governments or causing major casualties.
4. Jul. Mihdhar enters U.S. at JFK Airport.
Jul. Extremists associated with UBL [ ] continued to expect imminent attacks on U.S. interest but operational delays may persist, probably in response to enhanced U.S. security measures.
Jul. [Reports indicate UBL planning unspecified attacks on U.S. facilities abroad].
Jul. [Over the last [ ] weeks, there have been over 25 reports alluding to an impending attack. Never before has the Intelligence Community seen so many indicators.].
Aug. Clandestine [ ] [ ] and media reports indicate UBL has wanted to conduct attacks in the U.S. since 1997 ... Al-Qa'ida members -- including some who are U.S. citizens -- have resided in or traveled to the U.S. for years, and the group apparently maintains a support structure that could aid attacks.
3 Aug. The IC continues to estimate that [ ] extremists associated with Al Qaeda are now prepared to conduct one or more terrorist attacks at any time. The IC continues to believe that the most likely locales for such attacks are on the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East and Europe.
25 Aug. Between 25 and 31 Aug. 9/11 hijackers buy tickets for Sep. 11, 2001.
Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
9 Sep. Assassination of Afghan Northern Alliance Leader Masood by Al Qaeda operatives posing as journalists.
3 Jan. Bombing of USS The Sullivans aborted. An explosives-laden boat sank as it was launched in Aden harbor.
Jan. Al-Qaida operative [ ] detained at CIA behest. He is deported and admits he has received training at Al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan.
Feb. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
3 Mar. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Apr. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Oct. [Four foreign extremists with links to UBL arrested abroad and then released due to insufficient evidence].
12 Oct. USS Cole bombing. Aden, Yemen. 17 U.S. sailors killed.
13 Oct. Explosion damages UK Embassy in Yemen.
Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Nov. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
10 Nov. [ ] FBI rendition of al-Qaida operative based in Africa.
Fall 2000. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Dec. North Africans in Frankfurt, Germany Meliani Group arrested. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
15 Feb. Recap: Since May 98, more than [ ] terrorists captured and delivered to U.S. or foreign law enforcement. Since summer 2000, these have included: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
19 Feb. Four persons associated with UBL network arrested in Frankfurt, German.
[ ] 1 Feb. [ ] confirms press accounts of two arrests in Yemen regarding USS Cole. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Feb. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Feb/ [ ] [ ] extremist tied to Ahmed Ressam, had been arrested [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Apr. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Apr. [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] April [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spring 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] May [Foreign authorities seize terrorist suspect. Links to Ressam Millennium cell].
May. UK law enforcement officials released all of the Algerian extremists who were recently arrested in London. [ ] [ ] [ ] One [ ] [ ] [ ] was immediately re-arrested on a French warrant. The leader of the cell [ ] also was re-arrested on immigration charges pending possible deportation. Both individuals had prior knowledge of Ressam's abortive attack on LAX.
[ ] May. [Spanish police arrested Frankfurt terrorist cell member].
[ ] May. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ], a Middle East service arrested [ ] suspected terrorists in their involvement in planning of terrorist attacks against diplomatic personnel and/or interests [ ] [ ].
Jun. [Foreign officials arrested [ ] individuals who [ ] are members of Al Qaeda organization and were planning to bomb the U.S. embassy and other U.S. facilities [ ] [ ].
Jul. British re-arrest Algerian [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] knew of Ressam's terrorist plans. Ressam said UBL was aware of his terrorist plans and intentions in the U.S.
Jul. [ ] [ ] a cell of international Islamic extremists [ ] [ ] [ ] involved in anti-U.S. terrorist planning. Even with the arrests, attacks may still be planned [ ] [ ] [ ].
Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jul. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
16 Aug. Zacarias Moussaoui detained by INS.
Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ]
11 Sep. World Trade Center/Pentagon/Stony Creek attacks.
7 Oct. Operation Enduring Freedom commences.
[ ] Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
16. Jul. CTC briefing to House Committee on Government Operations and Reform. C/CTC lists accomplishments, i.e. [ ] disruptions of terrorists' organizational planning over the past two years. Helped render more than 30 terrorists in other countries since [ ], more than half of whom were associates of UBL's Al Qaeda.
19 Dec. Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1333 strongly condemning use of Afghanistan under control of Taliban for sheltering and training terrorists and demands its cessation. Also demands, per UNSCR 1267 (1999) that Taliban turn over UBL to appropriate country where he is indicted, etc., and close all terrorist camps under Taliban control. Issues list of sanctions including arms embargo, freezing of UBL and Al Qaeda assets, and other economic sanctions.
6 Feb. DCI classified worldwide threat breif: "...this year the thrust of terrorist attacks on U.S. facilities and interests come to the forefront ... UBL, his associates remain most immediate and serious threat. UBL's commitment to striking against the U.S. undiminished ... strong indications planning new operations ... capable of mounting multipole attacks with little or no warning."
6 Feb. Senior Executive Intelligence Brief (SEIB): The discovery of multiple terrorist plots since October shows an energized international "jihad movement" is raising the threat to U.S. interests, particularly in the Middle East and Europe. Most significant spike in activity since the time of the Millennium. Stems in part from changes in bin Ladin's practices. To avoid implicating himself and his Taliban hosts, he has allowed cells in his network to plan attacks more independently.
9 Feb. As a result of an evaluation by the USS Cole task force, DCI has directed CTC to form a strategic analysis group to help put context into threat reporting and to think out of the box.
10 May. DCI tells Senate Appropriations Committee hearing terrorism is on the rise especially against the U.S. Eighty percent increase since 1998. Strategic initiative is to pre-empt terrorist plans, and it is paying off with disruptions that include[s] and bin Ladin plots Despite successes, limits to what we can do. Generally not have specific time-and-place warning of attacks. Likely to be attack against U.S. interests over the next year.
5 Jun. DC/CTC briefing for HPSCI" "What worries me is that we're on the verge of more attacks that are larger and more deadly -- not necessarily CBRN, but could go that way also."
Jun. THREATCON Delta declared. U.S. naval ships in Persian Gulf ports head to sea.
24 Jun. Multiple current threats. Martyrdom threat possible in Jordan. USS Cole investigation threatens terrorists. Africa bombing sentences handed out. [ ] [ ] threats in Bahrain,k Saudi Arabia, Israel. [ ] [ ] threat in Europe. Yemen threat. [ ] [ ] threat in Indonesia, India, Turkey, [ ] [ ] threat to U.S. embassies, [ ] [ ] in the Phillipines.
28 Jun. "Based on a review of all-source reporting over the last five months, we believe that UBL will launch a significant terrorist attack against U.S. and/or Israeli interests in the coming weeks. The attack will be spectacular and designed to inflict mass casualties against U.S. facilities or interests. Attack preparations have been made. Attack will occur with little or no warning. They are waiting us out, looking for a vulnerability.
30 Jul. U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 1363. Stresses obligation of U.N. member states to comply with UNSCRs 1267 and 1333, respectively, which calls on Taliban to cease its support of terrorists in the territory it controls and the turning over of UBL to appropriate authorities. Offers assistance to states including those bordering on Afghanistan to increase their capability to implement measures imposed by above resolutions, which include an arms embargo and freezing of UBL assets.
1 Aug. CIA Inspector General report on CTC: "well-managed fulfilling interagency responsibilities for DIC, made progress on problems previously identified, particularly relationship with FBI. Customers did identify gaps -- plans and intentions of key terrorist groups and timely, specific warning of attack.
16 Aug. CTC Assessment for every UBL operative that we stop, an estimated 50 operatives slip through our loose net undetected. Based on recent arrest, it is clear that UBL is building up a worldwide infrastructure which will allow him to launch multiple and simultaneous attacks with little or no warning.
10 Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
10 Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
17 Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jan. DCI announced Abu Zubaida the #1 terrorist target.
[ ] Feb. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Mar. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Mar. [ ] [ ].
Mar. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
May. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Sep. [ ] [ ]
Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
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Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Sep. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Fall 2000. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ]
Oct. [ ] [ ] [ ].
Nov. [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Dec. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Early 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jan. Photos taken [ ] [ ] of al-Mihdhar and associates shown to shared CIA-FBI asset. Asset identifies associate as bin Atash, suspected planner of Cole bombing.
[ ] Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] Jan. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
29 Jan. CTC briefing on al Qa'ida to SSCI. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]. Some 70,000 to 120,000 people trained in the camps in Afghanistan since 1979.
[ ] Feb. [ ] [ ], a liaison service identified, and invited CIA to participate in tasking, a sensitive asset with [ ] [ ] [ ].
Early 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Apr. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
Spring 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spring 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
May. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] May [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jun. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spring 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Jull. [ ] [ ] [ ].
Summer 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].
[ ] Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Summer 2001. [ ] [ ] [ ].
Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Aug. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
23 Aug. Nawaf al-Hazmi and al-Mihdhar added to TIPOFF watchlist. Al-Hazmi arrived in U.S. January 15, 2000, no record of his departure. Al-Mihdhar departed June 10, 2000, returned July 4, 2001.
10 Sep. In the hours just prior to the 9/11 attacks, NSA obtains two pieces of information suggesting that individuals with terrorist connections believed something significant would happen on September 11. No specific indication of time, place, or type of expected event. Because of the nature of the processes involved, NSA is unable to report the information until September 12.
-- / -- / Lead / Sent To / -- / Set / Assigned / Stat
-- / -- / -- / COUNTERTERRORISM / WASHINGTON, D.C. / 07/27/01 / 07/30/01 / C
-- / -- / -- / NEW YORK / NEW YORK, NEW YORK / 07/27/01 / 07/30/01 / A
-- / -- / -- / COUNTERTERRORISM / -- / 04/06/01 / 04/06/01 / C
-- / -- / -- / PHOENIX / PHOENIX, AZ / 04/06/01 / 04/11/01 / C
-- / -- / -- / PHOENIX / -- / 02/20/01 / 03/01/01 / C
-- / -- / -- / COUNTERTERRORISM / WASHINGTON, D.C. / 12/15/00 / 01/02/01 / C
-- / -- / -- / COUNTERTERRORISM / WASHINGTON, D.C. / 12/15/00 / 01/02/01 / C
-- / -- / -- / LONDON / LONDON, ENGLAND / 12/15/00 / 12/19/00 / C
-- / -- / -- / PHOENIX / PHOENIX, AZ / 06/19/00 / 06/20/00 / C
-- / -- / -- / COUNTERTERRORISM / WASHINGTON, D.C. / 05/01/00 / 11/27/00 / C
-- / -- / -- / ILLEGIBLE / COLUMBUS, OHIO / 05/01/00 / 05/16/00 / C
-- / -- / -- / NEW YORK / NEW YORK, NEW YORK / 05/01/00 / 00/18/00 / D
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