The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has released a detailed report on the process of tracking, intelligence gathering, and the military operation against Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, on the anniversary of his killing.
U.S. media reported on Friday, May 1, citing the report, that Osama bin Laden was killed in the early hours of May 2, 2011, in Abbottabad, as a result of a targeted operation by U.S. special forces.
The operation has been described as the result of years of complex intelligence work and extensive cooperation among U.S. security and military agencies.
According to the report, Osama bin Laden had been under surveillance by intelligence agencies since the 1990s, but following the September 11 attacks, efforts to identify and track him increased significantly.
In this process, the main focus was on identifying individuals close to him, particularly a key courier who, after years of investigation, was identified by his real identity.
Subsequently, the intelligence obtained from this courier linked him to a residential compound in Abbottabad, a location with unusual security features, including high walls topped with barbed wire, multiple gates, covered windows, no telephone or internet access, and the burning of trash within the compound.
Investigations also indicated that the residents of the compound had no clear or verifiable source of income, which further increased suspicions.
The report adds that after assessments strengthened regarding the possible presence of Osama bin Laden at the site, special forces began intensive training exercises.
The operation was ultimately planned and carried out with the authorization of Barack Obama, time President of the United States.
The execution section states that helicopters carrying special forces entered the compound at midnight.
Although one of the helicopters experienced an accident during landing, the operation continued without delay, and Osama bin Laden was quickly identified inside the building and killed.
The CIA stated that after the operation, the identity of Osama bin Laden was confirmed through multiple independent methods, and his body was buried at sea.
The report also states that a large amount of documents and information were recovered from the site, indicating that Osama bin Laden remained actively involved in leading Al-Qaeda until the time of his death, issuing strategic and operational directives.
The agency emphasized that the killing of Osama bin Laden marked a turning point in efforts to weaken Al-Qaeda, and it is considered the result of close cooperation between U.S. intelligence and military agencies.
