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Al-Qaida / Al-Qaeda Organizational Structure

This chart is derived from STAFF STATEMENT NO. 15: Overview of the Enemy by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States.

This organizational structure should not be read as defining a hierachical chain of command for specific terrorist operations. It served as a means for coordinating functions and providing material support to operations. Once a specific operation was decided upon it would be assigned to a carefully selected clandestine cell, headed by a senior al Qaeda operative who reported personally to Bin Laden.

• Shura/Advisory Council - Usama bin Laden's inner circle; they direct the overall strategy of the organization.
• Sharia/Political Committee - Responsible for issuing fatwas.
• Military Committee - Resposible for conceiving and planning operations, as well as managing training camps.
• Finance Committee - Responsible for fund-raising, and the concealment of assets.
• Foreign Purchases Committee - Responsible for the acquisition of foreign arm and supplies.
• Security Committee - Physical protection, intelligence, and counter-intelligence.
• Information Committee - In charge of propaganda.