Nearly 10 years after the September 11 attacks, American agents have killed the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist group, Osama bin Laden.

In an address to the nation, United States President Barack Obama declared, “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

According to Mr. Obama, “A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.”

“[Former] President George W. Bush, who led the nation on the day of the [September 11] attacks, issued a statement congratulating President Obama and ‘the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission,’” USA Today reported. “[Mr.] Bush said the fight against terror must continue, but that ‘America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.’”

For many Americans, the military achievement was a reason to rejoice: “They celebrated in New York, they celebrated in front of the White House, they celebrated in Lawrence, Kan., and in towns and cities across America. And they celebrated the death of Osama bin Laden in a place that didn’t exist when the 9/11 attacks took place—Facebook,” The Los Angeles Times reported.

But others wonder: will this really end the West’s terrorism woes?

Be sure to read The Death of Osama bin Laden – Is America Back on Top? to learn about what this event really means for the U.S..

Also, for more on the subject of terrorism, read “Nowhere to Hide? – Terrorism’s Universal Threat”