In the early 1980s, bin Laden, together with thousands of Arab youths, went to Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet invaders who had been occupying Afghanistan since 1979.
At first, he took part in building arsenals, hospitals and roads for jihadists, but he also took part in the fighting.
Foden, a writer who has been investigating bin Laden's influence network, said: "Later, he began to lead a group of soldiers and personally participated in many military operations, including a famous siege of Jalalabad. This is an important battle against Soviet occupation. In this battle, he seized the famous Kalashnikov rifle, and since then, he has been running around with it. "
In addition to bringing him lucky Kalashnikov rifles, his time in Afghanistan also provided him with opportunities to meet Islamic radicals from all over the world, including people from Algeria, Morocco, Malaysia and even the United States.
1989, Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, and bin Laden returned to his hometown in Saudi Arabia. However, what happened at this time shocked him.
1990 When Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia refused the military assistance offered by bin Laden and turned to the United States for help.
Al-Faki, leader of the Saudi opposition, said bin Laden could not accept the fact that 500,000 American soldiers set foot on the sacred land of Saudi Arabia.
Faki said: "This is a turning point in his life. At that time, his idea was that this was a major betrayal of the mission of Islam and a historic betrayal of the Saudi regime. "
Bin Laden then went to Sudan to support other Muslim fighters, such as those who opposed the Egyptian and Algerian governments.
Egyptian journalist Darvich said that bin Laden played a logistical role here.
"Bin Laden didn't provide any ideological inspiration," Davich said. What he actually provides is a financial and supply network that extends from Yemen to Albania through a very complicated banking and investment system. "
1996, Sudan asked bin Laden to leave the country. Afghanistan, which had just been controlled by the extremist Islamic organization Taliban, became his last refuge.
In Afghanistan, bin Laden's underground network card IDA began to expand.
Foden, a writer who investigated bin Laden's influence, said that the organization has as many as 5,000 members in about 25 countries.
Foden said: "Al Qaeda is a very loose network, consisting of soldiers, trained blasting experts and various supporters, including some financial providers. They accepted bin Laden's instructions. Although this network seems to have many command levels and an architecture, it is difficult for intelligence agencies to crack. "
This network enabled bin Laden to stay out of any violent activities. But he has always been a figurehead, devoting his life and money to the struggle of Islamic fundamentalism.
This made bin Laden on the most wanted list in the United States, and the United States offered a reward of $5 million for his capture.
The United States accused bin Laden of planning the bombing of the 1998 embassy and the attack on the destroyer USS Cole last year.
1998, American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed, killing more than 200 people. Last year, the USS Cole was attacked in Yemen, killing 17 American soldiers.
Bin Laden is 44 years old and still recruiting soldiers for his jihad.
He recently appeared in a propaganda video for recruiting soldiers. The video background shows that a group of masked men are being trained in a training camp in the desert of Afghanistan.
Bin Laden said in the video: "The result of this training is a jihad against the only God. Your brothers in Palestine expect you to destroy the United States and Israel. " (HPZ)