u.s. embassy attacks final
TRANSCRIPT
U.S. embassy attacks
Kenyaand Tanzania
Bryan Pavina, Nicholas Poole, Zachery Powell, Nicholas Rossi
Key Players
The Nairobi Attack• USAMA BIN LADIN• MUHAMMED ATEF• FAZUL ABDULLAH MOHAMMED (aka
Harun)• MOHAMMED SADIQ ODEH• ABDUL RAHMAN• MOHAMMED RASHED DAOUD AL –
OWHALI• JIHAD MOHAMMED ALI• ABDULLAH AHMED ABDULLAH• FAHAD MOHAMMED ALLY
The Tanzania Attack• USAMA BIN LADAN• MUHAMMED ATEF• AHMED KHALFAN GHAILANI• AHMED SALIM SWEDAN• HAMDEN KHALIF ALLAH AWAD• KHALFAN KHAMIS MOHAMED
The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
The Nairobi Attack Background
• Nairobi, Kenya
• 224 people were killed.
• 12 were Americans.
• Approximately 4,650 others were wounded.
• The bomb was packed into a truck which detonated at the back entrance of the embassy at 10:35am.
• Back of the 5 story embassy was damaged and the Ufundi Cooperative building adjacent to the embassy building was completely demolished.
Fast facts: The embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania | Africatime. (n.d.).
The Nairobi Attack Background
The Dar Es Salaam Attack Background
• Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
• 10 people were killed, all of which were Tanzanian employees.
• The bomb packed in a truck detonated at 10:40am
• The bomb severely damaged the southern corner of the 3 story embassy building.
Fast facts: The embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania | Africatime. (n.d.).
Problem Statement
• A U.S. Embassy was positioned in an unsecure area in a crowed city which led to a successful attack that violated 5 of the 7 dimensions of human Security.
The Violated Dimensions of Human Security
• Economic Security
• Health Security
• Environmental Security
• Personal Security
• Community Security
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What Motivated These Attacks?
• USAMA BIN LADIN came from one of the wealthiest and prominent families in Saudi Arabia.
• Inherited an estimated $30 million.
• 1979 - He aided Afghanistan in there resistance to the Soviet Union.
• 1989 - The Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan.
• Became Critical and spoke out against the ruling Saudi family mainly for them welcoming many U.S. soldiers into Saudi Arab which he compared to the Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan.
The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
What Motivated These Attacks?
• 1996 – USAMA BIN LADIN was expelled from the Sudan after five Americans were killed in a U.S. military installment attack which came after he called for guerilla attack on U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia
• He returned to Afghanistan along with his 200 followers and aided the Taliban.
• He later issued a religious decree which called for war on the Americans in the Persian Gulf as well as for the overthrow of the Saudi Government.
• February 1998 – He issued another religious degree that called for Muslims to kill Americans, including civilians, anywhere in the world.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl_pVXOFylM
The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden |
FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
How Were the Attacks Prepared and Carried Out?
• The Nairobi Attack
• Spring 1998 - Planning had begun • May 1998 – Harun Rented an estate outside of Nairobi, Kenya at 43 Runda
Estates.• Ally is believed to have been the owner of he truck used to carry the
explosives.• Al-Owhali and Azzam were the chosen to be the suicide bombers• August 4, 1998 – Saleh (the mastermind of both attacks) and Al-Owhali
(passenger of suicide mission)conduced a final recon of the U.S. embassy deciding to detonate the bomb as close as they can to the back of the Embassy.
• August 5, 1998- Rahman ( the bomb technician) made final connection between the bomb and its detonation device. The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden |
FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
How Were the Attacks Prepared and Carried Out?
• The Nairobi Attack• August 7, 1998 at 10:35am – 2 vehicles left Harun’s
Estate.• Once in the Embassy parking lot, Al- Owhali (the suicide
passenger) was supposed to scare away anyone in the vicinity of the Embassy building using a pistol and homemade stun grenades which is believed to be an attempt to reduce the number of Kenyan casualties. He was also there to manually detonate the bomb if the detonator malfunctioned.
• Azzam (the suicide driver) manually detonated the bomb, killing hundreds and injuring thousands more.The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden |
FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
The Nairobi Attack
“At the moment we have 20 confirmed dead, but there are a lot of people trapped in the building (next to the U.S. embassy) – maybe another 60,” said a police official in the Kenyan capital.
How Were the Attacks Prepared and Carried Out?
• The Dar ES Salaam Attack
• June 1998 one month after Harun rented an estate in Nairobi, Khamis rented a house in the Ilala District of Dar Es Salaam
• Ahmed Abdullah (also known as Ahmed the German) was chosen to be the suicide bomber in this attack.
• April 7, 1998 at 10:40 am Ahmed detonated the bomb damaging the U.S. Embassy and killing 10 innocent Tanzanian Embassy employees.
The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
What caused the destruction
• Further investigation lead to finding the bombs were comprised of TNT
• Specialists said between 7-13 tons were used • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb3y6m-buco
What casued the destruction
• 2 trucks identical to this one loaded with the TNT carried the explosives to the destination
How Did the United States Respond to the Attacks?
• Clinton Said the U.S. had convincing information leading them to believe that the network organized and financed by bin Laden had carried out the bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Also blaming Bin Ladin and his followers for prior attacks and plots.
• On August 20, 1998 – President Bill Clinton ordered for the fire of some 75 Tomahawk cruise missiles at facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan in rush to terrorist activities.
The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.).
After the Destruction
• FBI mandated the responsibility of investigating – Aided the CID or Kenyan Criminal Investigation
Division and the Tanzanian CID as well • Within hours of the bombings the FBI was
dispatched • Collected investigations, interviews, and forensic
examinations
After the destruction cont.
• The success of the investigation is due to the willingness of Kenyan and Tanzanian governments as well as foreign government assistance
• FBI recognizes– that cooperation has been, and will continue to
be, very important to our ability in countering threats against the US
– the very real threat posed by Usama Bin Ladin
Policy information: Kenya &Tanzania
• 1964 US established relations with Kenya • US Foreign assistance revolves around four
objectives – strengthen democratic institutions– spur economic growth, trade and investment – (3) advance peace and security– (4) promote opportunity and development
Was the policy wrong?
• The security guard did what he cold to prevent the unknown truck from entering
• Called for backup right before the truck exploded – Radioed to marine post one
• The US embassy in Salaam had a lesser death toll do to the secluded area it was in
What was wrong with the Sec. policy?
• The four-story US Embassy in the Kenyan capital faces a busy traffic circle in the downtown business district
• American’s in embassy were not properly trained to handle such an enormous terrorist attack
• The US did not take warning signs for attack as seriously as they should have.
What was wrong??
• “According to intelligence sources, the CIA and FBI kept U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Prudence Bushnell and her staff fully informed about the warnings and the possible threat. However, some embassy officials dispute this, saying they were not kept in the loop about the seriousness of the threat. Throughout this period, Bushnell was pleading with the State Department to provide a new building or seriously upgrade security at the old building. But the State Department did not consider Nairobi a high-risk location and ignored Bushnell's pleas.”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/bombings/
warnings.html
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/famous-cases/east-african-embassy-bombings-1998
What was right with the Sec. policy?
• The FBI was dispatched to collect data and conduct interviews
How did the policy’s improve?
• United Nations Security council passed Resolution 1189– Condemned terrorist attacks– Called on countries to adopt measures to prevent
further incidents • Rebuilt the Nairobi embassy across the road by the
United Nations Office at Nairobi for security purposes
How did the policy’s improve?
• United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security added Kenya to antiterrorism assistance program (ATA)
• Sparked an antiterrorism campaign in Kenya
• Reinsured America’s commitment to fighting terrorism
• US increased monetary aid to Kenya – $42million dollar grant towards
Kenyan Victims
Recommendations
• Relocate the Embassies to secure, more efficient locations away from busy city traffic and large open spaces.
• Establish Physical Security (e.g. checkpoints, Marine Security Guards, walls, fences.) to secure roadways and foot traffic.
Nairobi 1998 Site
Relocation to Kitisuru
Nairobi Embassy Present Day
1998 Dar Es Salaam Site
Relocation
Dar Es Salaam Embassy Present Day
References
• CNN - Rescuers search for life in rubble of Nairobi bomb attack - August 7, 1998. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9808/07/africa.explosions.04/
• Fast facts: The embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania | Africatime. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.africatime.com/maroc/articles/fast-facts-embassy-bombings-kenya-and-tanzania
• Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan: US braces for fury of Arab world | Daily Mail Online. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382637/Osama-bin-Laden-killed-Pakistan-US-braces-fury-Arab-world.html
• The Trail Of Evidence - Fbi Executive Summary | Hunting Bin Laden | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/bombings/summary.html
• http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb3y6m-buco
References
• Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/al-qaeda-suspect-upset-bust-home-lawyer-article-1.1493589
• WashingtonPost.com: How Gate Guard in Nairobi Blocked Bombers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/eafricabombing/maps/guards.htm
• WashingtonPost.com: Nairobi Bombing Map. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/eafricabombing/maps/nairobimap.htm