The long-anticipated US-led military response to the attacks on New York and Washington began last night with cruise missile attacks on Taliban and suspected terrorist bases in Afghanistan.
The initial strike was made with Tomahawk missiles from US and British ships and submarines in the Arabian Sea and targeted on air defences and suspected al-Qaeda camps in or near at least six cities, including Kabul and Kandahar. A second series of strikes was reported to be under way about an hour later, and a third wave began about midnight Irish time.
Following the initial US strike, a television station in Qatar broadcast a video in which Osama bin Laden, who is blamed by the US for the September 11th attacks, described President Bush as "head of the infidels". He added: "I swear to God that America will not live in peace before peace reigns in Palestine."
According to news agency reports, the Taliban ambassador in Pakistan said bin Laden had survived the attacks. As well as Kabul and Jalaabad, the attacks also targetted Kandahar, the Taliban base. The Taliban military headquarters and the home of its leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, were reported to have been hit. Mullah Omar was reported to have survived.
US citizens all over the world were warned by their government to be on guard against reprisal attacks and other governments also stepped up security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) put all its offices and agents throughout the United States on maximum alert following the US-led strikes on Afghanistan. "The current operating instructions are based on the possibility of additional terrorist activity occurring somewhere in the world," the FBI said.
Shortly after the start of missile attacks, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, was in contact with the Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Richard Ryan, to discuss Ireland's role in the situation as president of the UN Security Council. The US has requested the opportunity to brief the 15-member council on developments.
Mr Ryan, on behalf of the Irish presidency of the council, has convened a meeting tonight "in the light of the action taken by US forces in Afghanistan" so that the US can update members on the situation. Up to now, the council has implicitly supported the US right to take proportionate action in self-defence.
The minister and his officials are monitoring developments closely and seeking the maximum consultation with other governments. The impact of the crisis on Afghan civilians is of particular concern .
Meanwhile, in his video broadcast, Osama bin Laden said:
"America has been filled with horror from north to south and east to west, and thanks be to God what America is tasting now is only a copy of what we have tasted." While he did not admit responsibility for the September 11th attacks, he said: "God has blessed a group of vanguard Muslims to destroy America ... and may God bless them and allot them a supreme place in heaven."
President Bush said the attacks were carefully measured and would be accompanied by humanitarian food drops.
Briefing journalists after the initial series of strikes, the 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 the Diego Garcia base in the Pacific, 25 strike aircraft from carriers, and the use of 50 Tomahawk cruise 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, taken casualties, denying claims by the Taliban that it had shot down a plane.
Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reported that fighting had broken out after the US-led assault between Taliban militia and rebel elements in the southwestern border town of Zaranj.
Mr Bush, in a television broadcast from White House, said the initial series of attacks was "carefully targeted" at al-Qaeda bases and Taliban defences.
They were clearing the way for what would be a "sustained, comprehensive, and relentless campaign to drive them out and bring them to justice."