CIA Releases Huge Trove Of Files Seized During Bin Laden Raid

AVA- The US’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Wednesday released almost 470,000 files recovered in the May 2011 raid on Osama bin Ladin’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

It was during this raid that bin Laden, the former al Qaeda leader was killed.

According to a statement issued by the CIA, the agency’s director Mike Pompeo authorized the release of the files “in the interest of transparency and to enhance public understanding of al-Qaeda and its former leader.”

"Today’s release of recovered al Qaeda letters, videos, audio files and other materials provides the opportunity for the American people to gain further insights into the plans and workings of this terrorist organization," said Pompeo.

"CIA will continue to seek opportunities to share information with the American people consistent with our obligation to protect national security."

According to the statement, the files include audio recordings, documents, images, videos and software operating system files.

The material is posted on the CIA’s website in the original Arabic and in as close to the original form as possible, modified only so the files cannot be edited, the press release stated.

The files also include bin Laden’s personal journal and more than 18,000 document files.

Approximately 79,000 audio and image files, which include practice reels for public speeches, audio correspondence, and imagery gathered or generated by al Qaeda for a variety of purposes.

More than 10,000 video files, which include a video of Hamza Bin Ladin as a young adult, al-Qaeda home videos, draft videos or statements by bin Ladin, and jihadist propaganda were also among the files.

Among the copyright-protected materials include more than two dozen videos such as “Antz,” “Cars” and other animated films, the role-playing game “Final Fantasy VII” and “Where in the World is Osama bin Laden” and two other documentaries about the al Qaeda leader.

The files also contain personal images and videos as well as photographs of children playing in the compound.

A never-before-seen video of Osama bin Laden’s son and potential successor was also released as part of the trove of files.

The video offers the first public look at Hamza bin Laden (below) as an adult. Until now, the public has only seen childhood pictures of him.
hamza bin laden

In recent years, al Qaeda has released audio messages from Hamza bin Laden and to mark a recent anniversary of 9/11, al Qaeda superimposed a childhood photo of him over a photo of the World Trade Center.

Bin Laden's son is expected to rise to prominence in the jihadi movement.

The video shows Hamza bin Laden, sporting a trimmed moustache but no beard, at his wedding. He is sitting on a carpet with other men.

Meanwhile, the CIA's statement indicated that the files also provide insight into the origins of fissures that exist today between al Qaeda and Daesh; as well as strategic, doctrinal and religious disagreements within al Qaeda and its allies; and hardships that al Qaeda faced at the time of bin Ladin’s death.