Bin Laden: A History of Threats

Jan. 19, 2006 — -- Following are some previous threats made by Osama bin Laden in audio or video statements. In the audiotape broadcast today on Arab television, bin Laden's claimed that preparations were being made for new attacks on the United States, making it one of his strongest statements to date.

October 2001

Bin Laden appears with deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri and al Qaeda spokesman Abu Gheith. It's the first video following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"And to America, I say to it and to its people this: I swear by God the Great, America will never dream nor those who live in America will never taste security and safety unless we feel security and safety in our land and in Palestine."

December 2001

"God willing, America's end is near. And the end of America does not depend on God's poor servant standing before you [apparently referring to himself], and it does not matter whether Osama is killed or remains alive."

November 2002

Not addressed to U.S. specifically

"Until when will destruction, killing and orphaning children be ours and security, stability and happiness be yours? This is an unjust division. It is time for an equal division of goods. As you kill, you will be killed. As you bomb, you will be bombed and wait for the bad."

April 2003

"Get up and raise your weapons against America and Britain. If you hesitated today, you will be ashamed in front of God."

"America has decided to eliminate all Islamic movements, (and) kill their religious leadership. Let us get them out of Arab island. For this purpose, the Jihad is the only way because they have targeted Iraq after Afghanistan. You should avenge the innocent children who have been assassinated in Iraq. Be united against Bush and Blair and defeat them with suicide attacks so that you may be successful before God."

October 2003

"I tell the American people: God willing, we will continue to fight you. We will continue the martyrdom operations inside and outside the United States until you end your injustice, abandon your stupidity."

October 2004

"Oh American people, my talk to you is about the best way to avoid another Manhattan; about the war, its causes and results."

"Your security does not lie in the hands of Kerry, Bush or al Qaeda. Your security is in your own hands. Each and every state that does not tamper with our security will have automatically assured its own security."