Explainer: What’s Happened to Al Qaeda in the 25 Years Since 9/11?
Experts say al Qaeda still inspires militants despite major losses, with affiliates in Somalia and the Sahel expanding across territory and influence.
- On this 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the group founded by Osama bin Laden has spawned affiliates and inspired attacks worldwide, remaining a persistent threat despite leadership losses.
- Al Qaeda emerged in the late 1980s, declaring a duty for Muslims to kill Americans and their allies as part of a "World Islamic Front," with influence peaking around 2013 before internal fragmentation.
- Somalia and West Africa's Sahel region have become primary theaters where Al Qaeda-aligned groups expand influence and govern territory, while rivalry with Islamic State continues with frequent clashes.
- A recent UN report indicates Al Qaeda continues to enjoy the patronage of the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, and analysts warn its "appetite for external operations" remains "undiminished" despite Kabul's denials.
- Experts note the group has evolved into a decentralized cadre, becoming "much more difficult to target and identify," while a judge recently ordered 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to face a military tribunal in June 2028.
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What's happened to al Qaeda in the 25 years since 9/11?
While it has suffered setbacks, notably bin Laden's killing in 2011 by US forces and the emergence of Islamic State as a rival, experts say al Qaeda still serves as a source of support and inspiration for militants in many regions, particularly in Africa.
Explainer: What’s happened to al Qaeda in the 25 years since 9/11?
In the 25 years since al Qaeda militants hijacked passenger jets and flew them into New York’s World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, the group founded by Osama bin Laden has spawned affiliates and inspired attacks around the world.
EXPLAINER | What’s happened to al Qaeda in the 25 years since 9/11?
In the 25 years since 9/11, al Qaeda has evolved from a centralised leadership under Osama bin Laden into a network of affiliates active in regions like Africa and South Asia, despite suffering leadership losses and competition from Islamic State
While Al-Qaeda's various subsidiaries no longer follow the logic of global jihad advocated by Osama Bin Laden, they continue to destabilize many parts of the world, whether in the Sahel, Somalia, Yemen or Afghanistan.
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