Killing of Osama bin Laden facts for kids
| Part of the war on terror | |
Osama bin Laden's compound
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Map of Operation Neptune Spear showing the locations of U.S. bases in Afghanistan and the approximate flight path to and from the compound in Pakistan
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| Date | May 2, 2011; 14 years ago |
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| Location | Waziristan Haveli, Bilal Town, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Also known as | Operation Neptune Spear |
| Participants |
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| Outcome | Osama bin Laden's body buried in the North Arabian Sea |
| Deaths |
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On May 2, 2011, Osama bin Laden, who started the group al-Qaeda, was found and killed. He was hiding in a special house in Abbottabad, a city in Pakistan. This mission was carried out by United States Navy SEALs, a special forces team. The operation was called Operation Neptune Spear.
The CIA, a U.S. spy agency, led this important mission. Other special military groups also helped. This successful operation ended a search for bin Laden that had lasted almost ten years. He was wanted for planning the September 11 attacks in the United States.
Contents
The Mission to Find Osama bin Laden
The U.S. government had been looking for Osama bin Laden for a long time. He was seen as a major threat after the September 11 attacks. Finding him was a top priority for the United States.
Planning the Secret Raid
U.S. President Barack Obama approved the plan to capture or kill bin Laden. About two dozen Navy SEALs were chosen for the mission. They used two special helicopters called Black Hawks.
The team started their journey from Afghanistan, where U.S. forces were based. This was about 120 miles (193 kilometers) away from bin Laden's hideout. The mission was kept very secret.
The Raid in Abbottabad
The raid on bin Laden's compound took about 40 minutes. It happened just before 1:00 a.m. in Pakistan. The Navy SEALs quickly entered the compound.
During the raid, bin Laden was killed. Three other men and one woman in the compound also died. One of the men killed was bin Laden's son.
What Happened After the Raid?
After the mission, the U.S. forces took bin Laden's body back to Afghanistan. They needed to confirm his identity. Then, his body was flown over 850 miles (1,368 kilometers) to the Arabian Sea.
He was buried at sea. This was done following Islamic traditions. This way, no specific burial site would become a place for his followers to gather.
Reactions to the News
News of bin Laden's death spread quickly around the world. Many people had different reactions to it.
Reactions in the United States
Over 90 percent of Americans supported the raid. Many people celebrated in the streets. They felt a sense of justice after the September 11 attacks.
Global Reactions
The United Nations, NATO, and the European Union welcomed the news. Many governments around the world also supported the action. They saw it as a step towards fighting terrorism.
However, some groups and countries did not support the raid. Two-thirds of the people in Pakistan condemned it. They were upset that the U.S. military operated in their country without permission.
Al-Qaeda's Response
On May 6, al-Qaeda confirmed bin Laden's death. They posted messages on websites used by militants. The group promised to get revenge for his killing.
Other militant groups in Pakistan also vowed to retaliate. They threatened both the U.S. and Pakistan. They were angry that Pakistan did not stop the operation.
Images for kids
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CIA aerial photo of the compound
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Diagram of Osama bin Laden's hideout, showing the high concrete walls that surrounded the compound
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Situation Room: The U.S. national security team, with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden (left), and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, gathered in the White House Situation Room to monitor the progress of the operation
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Osama bin Laden's body was confirmed by President Obama in the Situation Room
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An ABC News digital board in Times Square after Bin Laden's death
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Americans in front of The White House celebrating Osama bin Laden's death
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Website of the Federal Bureau of Investigation listing bin Laden as deceased on the Most Wanted List on May 3, 2011
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Matt Bissonnette in March 2001
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View of Abbottabad, Pakistan (2011)
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Air strikes on Tora Bora in 2001
