The operation, authorised last week by President Obama, left Bin Laden and three others dead. Bin Laden's son was also killed. US Navy seals led the attack on a compound in Abbottabad, 65km North of Islamabad.
Osama Bin Laden. 1957-2011
As the ten year anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, Americans mourn the deaths of over 3000 men and women killed in either the twin towers, or another of the hijacked planes. President Obama announced that "justice had been done," while thousands gathered outside the White House and at Ground Zero.
Bin Laden rose to prominence after the September 11 attacks in 2001. Though his terrorist organisation, Al-Qaeda, had been formed before the hijackings, it was these attacks that gave the organisation a worldwide name and prompted former President Bush to begin the War on Terror.
Prime Minister David Cameron, however, believes that Bin Laden's death "does not mark the end of the threat." The structure of Al-Qaeda is built around disconnected, self-sustaining cells, so the death of one man makes no real difference. It is, though, a psychological boost for the USA. Bin Laden had already reliquished control of the organisation before he was killed.
Bin Laden's influence is widely spread. Bombings such as those in Bali, Madrid and London have all be inspired by Bin Laden, if not directed. Following his death today, American's have been warned to be wary of retaliation attacks.
