Bombings

Terrorism- The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. On August 7th, 1998, one of the worst attacks against the US abroad had occurred. The Al Qaeda, one of the most known terrorist groups, bombed the US Embassy buildings in Nairobi and in Dar es Salaam which is the Tanzania capital. This led to the increase of security at all the US Embassy buildings worldwide. The U.S. Embassy Bombings helped shape how the U.S. Handled terrorism attacks towards the U.S.

Embassy- "The nerve center for a country's diplomatic affairs within the borders of another nation, serving as the headquarters of the chief of mission, staff and other agencies. An embassy is usually located in the capital city of a large foreign nation" ("What is an U.S. Embassy?"). At 10:30 am local time in Africa two bombs went off just minutes after each other in Africa, killing people, and injuring thousands. "It is believed that 81 people were killed, and approximately 1,650 were injured.... The Slain Americans -- including five embassy employees and a child -- were among the 74 people killed in Nairobi" (Claiborne "Bombs Explode at 2 US Embassies in Africa; Scores Dead").

These attacks were thought to have been planned out by a well known terrorist, Osama Bin-Laden. Bin-Laden, leader of the terrorist group the Al-Qaeda, is an Islamic Fundamentalist. The first bomb exploded and, "The first blast happened in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam and the second, just five minutes later, in Nairobi, Kenya's capital city" ("1998, US Embassies in Africa Bombed"). The explosion in Nairobi brought down a five story office building, and sent it crashing into the embassy building. A US Ambassador was in Nairobi when the explosion occurred. Prudence Bus...

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...hape, tourism has been devastated and now this." He also said, "Maybe this will be the catalyst to get Kenyans pulling together again." (Tim Vaulkhard). There was hope that the people of Kenya would come together and work together to make Kenya a better place than it was before the bombings.

The U.S. Embassy Bombings in 1998 were a critical point in the rise of terrorism in the Middle East. The Al-Qaeda successfully got their name on the map, and their leading financial provider Osama Bin Laden was now a wanted fugitive. His actions led to the US launching missels in hopes of killing Bin Laden, as well as placing him on the FBI Most Wanted List. These actions dictated the economy in Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as introduced the United States to the harmful ways of Jihad, or terrorism carried out by Osama Bin Laden and his terroristic colleagues, the Al-Qaeda.