Osama bin Laden Killed

Setting the scene

Osama bin Laden was killed May 2, 2011, in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by U.S. Navy SEALs in Operation Neptune Spear. President Obama authorized the raid after CIA tracked bin Laden's courier to the compound. SEAL Team Six helicoptered in from Afghanistan and killed bin Laden in a 40-minute raid.

What happened

Bin Laden's body was buried at sea within 24 hours. The operation was kept secret from Pakistan. Obama announced the death late May 1 U.S. time, sparking celebrations. The killing came nearly 10 years after 9/11.

Why it still matters

Bin Laden's death was a symbolic victory in the war on terror but did not end al-Qaeda or terrorism. It demonstrated U.S. counterterrorism capabilities and the value of intelligence persistence. May 2, 2011, closed a chapter opened September 11, 2001.

Background

Al-Qaeda’s founder and symbolic leader was killed.