Growing Up Bin Laden - Jean P. Sasson [184]
1987: After undertaking a major bin Laden family construction project in Medina, Osama moves his three wives and children to that city.
1987: Osama and Najwa welcome their seventh child, a girl they name Fatima. Fatima is the first daughter born to the family.
1988: Osama and Siham, his fourth wife, welcome their first child, a girl they name Kadhija.
1988: In August of 1988, Osama turns to a global crusade, founding al-Qaeda al-Askariya (which translates “the military base,” later shortened to al-Qaeda, “the base,” or “the foundation”). By this time Osama has achieved hero status in the Arab press. Due to Osama’s prominence, fighters for his organization are easily recruited.
1988: Osama replaces his friend and mentor, Abdullah Azzam, as the leader of the Arab fighters in Peshawar, training for the conflict in Afghanistan.
1989: The Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan.
1989: Osama returns to Saudi Arabia, bringing approximately one hundred of his veteran fighters to live in Saudi Arabia.
1989: Abdullah Azzam and one of his sons are assassinated when they are targeted by a roadside bomb in Peshawar. After Abdullah Azzam’s death, Osama bin Laden is the undisputed leader of the Arab fighters.
1989: Osama and his third wife, Khairiah, welcome their first child, Hamza.
1989: Osama and his fourth wife, Siham, welcome their second child, Khalid.
1990: On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait. Osama approaches the Saudi royal family, volunteering his military expertise and holy warriors to fight and defeat Saddam Hussein. Confident of his ability to convince the royal family of the wisdom of his plan, Osama prepares his forces to defend the kingdom.
1990: The Saudi government allows the United States to form a coalition of many countries, including many Muslim countries, to battle Saddam Hussein. The United States begins sending troops to Saudi Arabia.
1990: Osama is so enraged at what he considers a royal slight in allowing infidel troops on Islamic holy land that he begins to speak out and write treatises against the Saudi regime, leading to an end to their previous friendly relationship.
1990: Osama and his first wife, Najwa, welcome their eighth child, a girl named Iman.
1990: Osama and his fourth wife, Siham, welcome their third child, a girl named Miriam. (This child is born on the same day as Iman, Najwa’s daughter.)
1990: Omar and his second wife, Khadijah, welcome their second child, a son named Amer.
1990: The Saudi government warns Osama to cease his criticisms of the royal family and their decisions. Osama refuses, increasing his opposition. The ruling family limits Osama’s freedom, ordering that he confine himself to the kingdom.
1991: A coalition, led by the United States, fights the Persian Gulf War. Afterwards, the United States establishes a permanent military presence in the kingdom. Osama and other intellectuals within the kingdom object to the infidel presence in the land of the two most holy places in Islam, Mecca and Medina. Opposition to the ruling family increases, resulting in the arrest and detention of a number of intellectuals.
1991: Osama flees the kingdom after convincing one of the royals to approve a one-off trip to Pakistan in order to complete and close down his businesses there. Osama promises that he will return to Saudi Arabia.
1991: Osama breaks his promise, and instead he arranges a move to Khartoum, in Sudan.
1991 or 1992: In late 1991 or early 1992, Osama moves to Khartoum, Sudan. His wives, children, and approximately one hundred of his veteran fighters who were living in Saudi Arabia join him there.
1992: With the approval of the Sudanese government, Osama sets up many businesses in Sudan.
1992: Osama begins to bring more Afghan veterans living in Pakistan into Sudan to work in his businesses, as well as setting up his al-Qaeda organization for future missions.
1992: Osama and his second wife, Khadijah, welcome their third and last child, a girl they name Aisha.
1992: On December 29, 1992,