Grinning Terrorist: Unseen Images Of Osama Bin Laden's Original Hideout – His Headquarters In 9 Pics
Mar. 13 2015, Published 11:41 a.m. ET
Rare photos from Osama Bin Laden's private compound before the 9/11 attacks have emerged.
Images of Osama Bin Laden's mysterious compound have surfaced.
Palestinian journalist Abdel Barri Atwan took the photos in 1996, when Bin Laden hoped to spread his message of hate to the Western world.
At the time, Bin Laden had already declared war on the United States, and vowed to grab worldwide attention.
For several years, he developed an elaborate network of caves and hideouts 14,000 ft. up in the White Mountains, according to reports.
- 'Losers': Megyn Kelly Slams 'Parents of Gen Z' Kids Who Shared Osama Bin Laden's 2002 'Letter to America' on TikTok — 'You Were Likely Boozing'
- TikTokers Obsess Over Terrorist Bin Laden's Note to America, Message Scrubbed From Website
- Al Qaeda's Twisted Tyrant Ayman al-Zawahiri: From Egyptian Doctor To Osama Bin Laden's No. 2, The Man Who Escaped Death — Until Now
The terrorist leader used a walking stick around the site, and often had protective militants close at hand.
Watchful eye: Dozens of his men would join in on the 9/11 mastermind’s walks.
According to Atwan, Bin Laden "loved the nature there. He loved the mountain. They were trying to have their own community."
To enter the compound, one would take a long dusty road complete with various security checkpoints.
After the 9/11 attacks, Bin Laden relocated, hiding successfully for a decade. The 10-year search ended on May 2 2011 when he was killed during a Navy Seal operation in Abbottobad.