Osama bin Laden is Dead

The United States, in a covert military operation under the leadership of the Central Intelligence Agency, has killed al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the embassy bombings in Africa, the strike on the U.S.S. Cole, and the attacks of September 11th, 2001, and so many more.

The United States resolved to bring to justice those who took part in these vicious attacks. Over the last ten years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our international partners and the U.S. military and counterterrorism professionals, great strides have been made, said President Obama:

"We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaida safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaida terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot."

But Bin Laden had managed to remain elusive until last August, when President Obama was briefed on a possible lead to the al Qaida leader. President Obama met repeatedly with the national security team as more information developed about the possibility that bin Laden was hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. Finally, last week President Obama determined that there was enough intelligence to take action and authorized an operation to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.

The United States launched a targeted operation against the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary skill and courage. No Americans were harmed. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body and buried it at sea.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaida's leader and symbol and has continued to plot attacks against the United States, its friends and allies. "The death of bin Laden," said President Obama, "marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaida. Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must – and we will – remain vigilant at home and abroad."