The devastating 9/11 attacks sent shockwaves around the globe, marking the beginning of a new era of brutal terrorism at the hands of extremist group al-Qaeda.
The subsequent decade was defined by a relentless pursuit of the mastermind behind the atrocities – al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
A new three-part documentary series, released on today (March 10), delves into the intricate details of the hunt, featuring exclusive insights from the FBI, US officials, and those directly affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Following numerous failed attempts to track down Bin Laden, US officials shifted their focus to identifying his inner circle. A crucial breakthrough came with the discovery of Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti, who was acting as Bin Laden’s courier.
A pivotal moment arrived in the summer of 2010 when US investigators traced Abu Ahmed to Peshawar, Pakistan, and intercepted a phone call.
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A new docuseries titled American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is now streaming on Netflix (Image: Netflix)
In the documentary’s third episode, Michael Morell, a CIA operative and former Daily Briefer to President George Bush, recounts: “He [Bin Laden’s courier] was talking to somebody who knew him from the past.
“His friend was asking him, ‘What are you doing now? I haven’t heard from you, I haven’t seen you, what are you doing?'”
“And he kept trying to say, ‘You know, I’m staying busy, I’m working,’ his friend just didn’t give up, he said, ‘But what are you doing, what exactly are you doing? and there was a moment of silence.
“Then he said, ‘I’m doing what I was doing before,’ immediately the friend said, ‘Then go with Allah.’ It was clear that what he had done before was to work for Bin Laden.”
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Osama Bin Laden was behind the 9/11 attacks (Image: Getty Images)
The CIA operatives in Pakistan tailed Abu Ahmed in a white SUV from Peshawar to Abbottabad, which led directly to a mysterious compound. After intense efforts to glean intelligence about this facility and its occupants, it was confirmed to be Bin Laden’s hideout.
They employed satellites and a CIA safe house to monitor his every move and understand his daily habits.
In May 2011, the infamous manhunt came to its conclusion with Operation Neptune Spear, as US Navy SEALs killed Bin Laden during an exceptional raid. His body, taken to Afghanistan for confirmation of his identity, was disposed of at sea as per Islamic traditions.
American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is now streaming on