The September 11 attacks will forever be etched in human history as one of the most heinous acts of terrorism to have ever occurred. This devastating event not only caused a significant loss of lives but also triggered a series of far-reaching repercussions on global politics, security, and economy. The purpose of this article is to examine these sad events and their subsequent effects in great detail.
Table of Contents
The Catastrophic Event
On 2001 September 11, the world witnessed a horrifying spectacle of terrorism as the Islamic extremist group, al-Qaeda, executed a series of suicide attacks in the United States. The attacks resulted in the tragic death of nearly 3,000 people, making it the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
The meticulously planned operation involved the hijacking of four commercial airliners. Two of these, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown directly into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact ignited a catastrophic fire, which eventually led to the collapse of these iconic structures.
The third airliner, American Airlines Flight 77, was flown into the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 tried bravely to resist the hijackers, but the plane crashed in a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was speculated that the plane was going in the direction of the Capitol in Washington.
The Masterminds and the Execution
The main orchestrators of these attacks were Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was the operational planner. Mohammed conceptualized the idea of using hijacked planes as missiles, while al-Qaeda provided the necessary manpower, funds, and logistical support to carry out the plot.
The terrorists who carried out these attacks were mostly from Saudi Arabia. They had established themselves in the United States and some even received commercial flight training within the country. All 19 of them perished in the attacks. Bin Laden was finally killed by U.S. forces in 2011, while Mohammed was captured in 2003.
The Devastating Aftermath
The death toll from these attacks was staggering. The official figure, excluding the 19 terrorists, was set at 2,977 people. At the World Trade Center in New York City, 2,753 people lost their lives, including 343 firefighters. At the Pentagon, 184 people were killed, and 40 individuals died in the plane crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Long-term Health Impact
The aftermath of the attacks unfolded a grim tale of health hazards. The collapse of the Twin Towers covered Lower Manhattan in toxic dust, and fires at Ground Zero continued to burn for months. Many first responders reported respiratory issues. The CDC estimated that the attacks exposed potentially harmful substances or severe physical or emotional stress to around 400,000 people. By 2023, more than 5,700 participants in a health monitoring and treatment program created for those exposed to the 9/11 agents had died.
The Impact on U.S. Policy
The attacks had a profound effect on the U.S., particularly regarding its foreign and domestic policies. Bush announced a global “war on terrorism,” and long conflicts broke out in Afghanistan and Iraq. Security measures within the country were tightened significantly, especially at airports.
Congress promptly enacted the USA PATRIOT Act, significantly increasing the monitoring and search capabilities of federal law enforcement and intelligence organizations. Additionally, they established the Department of Homeland Security at the cabinet level to facilitate the domestic response to terrorism.
The Global Reach of al-Qaeda
The September 11 attacks showcased al-Qaeda’s global reach. The plot involved planning meetings in Malaysia, flight training in the U.S., coordination in Germany, financial transactions in Dubai, and recruitment from various Middle Eastern countries. All these activities were overseen by al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan.
A Chilling Message
When Mohamed Atta, the head of the operation, was ready to carry out the attacks, he used an innocuous code to inform his contact. He prophesied that the attacks would be represented by “two sticks, a dash, and a cake with a stick down,” which was taken to mean September 11.
The U.S. Response
The United States immediately launched Operation Enduring Freedom, a global campaign to overthrow the Taliban government in Afghanistan and wipe out al-Qaeda’s support structure. By December 2001, the Taliban regime was effectively ousted, but the war continued due to an ongoing Taliban insurgency.
The Creation of the Department of Homeland Security
After the 9/11 attacks, the United States government enacted the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which established the Department of Homeland Security. This department is responsible for preventing terror attacks, ensuring border security, and coordinating disaster relief and prevention.
The Economic Impact
The U.S. economy felt the effects of 9/11 almost instantly. During the attacks, many Wall Street buildings were forced to evacuate. The market dropped 7.1% on the first day of trade following the assaults. In the first three months, the New York City economy shed 143,000 jobs each month and $2.8 billion in pay. The anticipated price tag for fixing the World Trade Center is $60,000,000,000.
Related FAQs
Who orchestrated the September 11 attacks?
The September 11 attacks were orchestrated by the Islamic extremist group, al-Qaeda, under the leadership of Osama bin Laden and operational planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
What was the impact of the attacks on U.S. policies?
The attacks led to significant changes in U.S. foreign and domestic policies. The U.S. declared a global “war on terrorism,” leading to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Domestically, security measures were tightened, and the Department of Homeland Security was created.
What was the economic impact of the attacks?
The attacks had an immediate negative effect on the U.S. economy. The market fell 7.1 percent on the first day of trading after the attacks. The estimated cost of the World Trade Center damage is $60 billion.
What were the health impacts of the attacks?
The dust from the collapse of the Twin Towers and the fires at Ground Zero exposed around 400,000 people to potentially harmful substances, leading to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems and cancer.
What was the U.S.'s response to the attacks?
The U.S. launched Operation Enduring Freedom to oust the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and destroy al-Qaeda’s network. The Department of Homeland Security was also created to prevent future terror attacks.
No comment