The Battle of Tora Bora was a military engagement that took place in south east Afghanistan near the Pakistani border from December 12, 2001 to December 17, 2001, during the opening stages of the War in Afghanistan launched by the United States . The U.S. and its allies claimed that Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaeda, was hiding in the mountains at Tora Bora.
Interrupting the interview between Alan and Tommy, Sidekick Simon mentions Shrek. Nigel Lindsay, who plays Tommy, starred in the titular role in Shrek the Musical.