posted on Nov, 10 2008 @ 03:13 PM
alternatively spelled al-Qaida and sometimes al-Qa'ida, (Arabic: القاعدة; al-qāʿidah; translation: The Base) is an international Sunni
Islamist movement founded in 1988. Al-Qaeda have attacked civilian and military targets in various countries, the most notable being the September 11
attacks in 2001. These actions were followed by the US government launching a military and intelligence campaign against al-Qaeda called the War on
Terror.
Characteristic techniques include suicide attacks and simultaneous bombings of different targets.[5] Activities ascribed to it may involve members of
the organization, who have taken a pledge of loyalty to Osama bin Laden, or the much more numerous "al-Qaeda-linked" individuals who have undergone
training in one of its camps in Afghanistan or Sudan but not taken any pledge.[6] Al-Qaeda's objectives include the end of foreign influence in Muslim
countries and the creation of a new Islamic caliphate. Reported beliefs include that a Christian-Jewish alliance is conspiring to destroy Islam,[7]
and that the killing of bystanders and civilians is Islamically justified in jihad. Its management philosophy has been described as "centralization of
decision and decentralization of execution." Following 9/11 and the launching of the War on Terrorism, it is thought al-Qaeda's leadership has "become
geographically isolated", leading to the "emergence of decentralized leadership" of regional groups using the al-Qaeda "brand name."
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