In an exclusive interview marking the 15th anniversary of the death of Osama Bin Laden, former US Navy Seal Matt Bissonnette has issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump against launching a ground invasion of Iran. Bissonnette, who was part of the elite team that executed the Al Qaeda leader during Operation Neptune Spear in 2011, urged the United States to learn from its past military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A Plea for Restraint
Bissonnette, now 50, told the Mirror: "It is essential we learn our lessons. I'm glad they're not invading Iran like we did Iraq. We're not building bases and putting tanks on the ground and sending thousands of soldiers in like we did in Iraq and Afghanistan. We're not doing it, and I'm at least glad to see that." He expressed hope that this indicates a shift in strategy, adding: "I'm hoping it shows that just maybe we've learned a few things. Because I can tell you from first-hand experience, the way we did it in Iraq and Afghanistan did not work. Too many of my friends died and too many lives were lost."
The Mission That Killed Bin Laden
Bissonnette, who only revealed his true identity last year after years of using a pseudonym, recounted the details of the extraordinary mission on May 2, 2011. The 23-strong special forces team travelled from the US to Afghanistan and then to Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan. During the operation, Bissonnette broke his neck when their helicopter crashed due to high temperatures, yet he continued to participate in the 40-minute raid. "I was sitting in the doorway when we crashed," he said. "We hit the ground and then it was time to jump out and go to work."
The team encountered Bin Laden's son Khalid on the first floor, who was shot after emerging with an AK-47. On the third floor, Bissonnette shot a man who later turned out to be Bin Laden. He noted that Bin Laden had dyed his beard with Just For Men hair dye, which initially confused the identification. "There was no grey in the beard. But when I searched his bathroom, I found Just For Men hair dye. He had been dying his beard. We had Bin Laden."
Aftermath and Reflection
Bissonnette struggled to process the mission and suffered severe injuries, including a torn rotator cuff and five neck surgeries resulting from the helicopter crash. He also mourned the loss of colleagues in the Extortion helicopter crash that killed 22 service members in Afghanistan. "It showed how life had gone from huge highs to huge lows. I lost so many friends. It confirmed my decision to leave the Navy Seals."
Now a cattle farmer, Bissonnette has written a book titled No Easy Way under his real name, detailing his trauma and the lessons learned. He concluded: "My journey as a Navy Seal had the most remarkable arc. It went from 9/11 to my last mission being killing the man who orchestrated 9/11. I feel very proud but as a world we must learn our lessons from previous conflicts."
