US citizens worldwide were warned to be on their guard against reprisal attacks following the launch of bombing raids against Afghanistan by the US and Britain.
"This action may result in strong anti-American sentiment and retaliatory actions against US citizens and interests throughout the world by terrorists and those who are sympathetic to or otherwise support terrorism," a US State Department statement said.
President George W. Bush told the US people the attacks were carefully measured and would be accompanied by humanitarian food drops.
The initial strike was made with Tomahawk missiles from US and British ships and submarines in the Arabian Sea and were targeted on air defences and Al-Qaeda bases in or near at least five cities. Attacks continued in waves over several hours.
Briefing journalists, US Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld said several waves of attacks had involved 15 land-based bombers, both B52s and stealth bombers from the US and Diego Garcia in the Pacific, 25 strike aircraft from carriers, and the use of 50 Tomahawk missiles fired from ship and submarines.
An initial phase of humanitarian drops would involve two C17 planes and some 37,500 rations as well as medical supplies. He said the US had not, as yet, suffered casualties, denying claims by the Taliban it had shot down an aircraft.
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In a prepared statement carried on Al-Jazeera TV, a Qatari cable channel, Osama bin Laden responded by declaring a war on behalf of Islam against the US.
Pictured in fatigues at an unknown location, he pledged that Americans would not know safety and security until Afghanistan does. "America was hit by God in one of its softest spots," he said. "America is full of fear from its north to its south, from its west to its east. Thank God for that".
But President Bush and British Prime Minister Mr Blair stressed the war they were fighting was not against Islam or the Afghani people but those, Mr Bush said, who had perverted a peace-loving religion.
They were clearing the way for what would be a "sustained, comprehensive, and relentless campaign to drive them [Al-Qaeda] out and bring them to justice," Mr Bush said.
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He said that two weeks ago he had delivered a clear set of demands to the Afghani government. It had not responded. "Now the Taliban will pay a price," Mr Bush said.
British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair said last night the Taliban had been given "the choice to stick with justice or terror. They chose to stick with terror". He promised US and British forces "will do all they humanly can to avoid civilian casualties".
