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2012 Benghazi attack

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This article is about the consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya. For worldwide protests see 2012 diplomatic missions attacks

2012 U.S. Consulate attack in Benghazi
LocationBenghazi, Libya
DateSeptember 11–12, 2012
22:00 – 02:00 EET (UTC+02:00)
TargetUnited States consulate
Attack type
Armed assault, rioting, arson
WeaponsRocket-propelled grenades, firearms
Deaths4
Injured2

On September 11, 2012, the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked. The Islamist terrorist assailants used the protests against an anti-Islam film produced in the United States as a backdrop and attacked the consulate with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, killing the visiting United States Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith,[1] American private security employee Glen Doherty,[2] former U.S. Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods,[3] and injured two others.

In later reports, officials said that the Benghazi attack appeared to be "complex" and professionally executed.[4] Initially, U.S. officials speaking under anonymity, claimed that the Benghazi attack was planned in advance, and not prompted by the film.[5] However, on September 15, U.S. officials claim that the attack was not planned.[6]An early report suggested that the U.S. may have had credible prior information about the attack,[7] although this was denied by the U.S. administration.[8][9] Libyan officials alleged it was part of a planned two-part attack that also included a raid on a safe house.[10]

Details

Background

Al-Qaeda has sponsored a series of terrorist attacks on the United States over the past two decades, including the 1998 United States embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, and the September 11th attacks of 2001. Diplomats, working in potentially hostile territory, are exposed to a variety of dangers which are difficult and expensive to address properly.[11]

The Imprisoned Omar Abdul Rahman Brigades is a pro Al-Qaida group which claimed responsibility for an attack on the International Red Cross office in Benghazi in May 2012, and for detonating an explosive device outside the U.S. Consulate in June 2012.[12][13] The attack on the Consulate was described in leaflets left at the scene as being in retaliation for the death of "Libyan al Qaeda No. 2" Abu Yahya al Libi in an American drone attack. On September 11, Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri called for revenge of the senior Libyan leader's death, shortly before the deadly attack in Libya.[12][14]

The attack

Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who was killed in the Benghazi attack

According to the U.S. State Department, at 10:00 p.m. CAT, the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was attacked by gunmen, who in minutes gained entry into the compound. The main building, containing Ambassador Stevens, Information Management Officer Sean Smith, and a security officer, became engulfed in a fire after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.[15] The three became separated, and the security officer was the only person to make it out alive. 45 minutes into the attack, U.S. security personnel tried to retake the main building but were unsuccessful and retreated to the annex.[16]

With the assistance of Libyan forces, the American security personnel were able to evacuate the rest of the main building to the annex. At midnight the annex was attacked, with gunmen killing two American security personnel and ten Libyan policemen. By 2:00 a.m. CAT on September 12, Libyan and American security forces had "regained control of the situation". However, they could not locate the body of Ambassador Stevens, who had already been taken to a local hospital. At the hospital Stevens was administered CPR for 90 minutes by Dr. Ziad Buzaid.[17] According to Dr. Buzaid, Stevens died from asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation, although the circumstances of the ambassador's death are still being investigated.[16]

The bodies were taken to Benina International Airport and flown to the capital, Tripoli, and scheduled to fly to a U.S. airbase in Germany. Abdel-Monem Al-Hurr, the spokesman for Libya's Supreme Security Committee, said: "One American staff member has died and a number have been injured in the clashes. There are fierce clashes between the Libyan army and an armed militia outside the U.S. consulate", while adding that roads leading to the compound were sealed off and Libyan state security forces had surrounded the building.[18] From Germany, the four bodies arrived at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, DC, where President Barack Obama and members of his cabinet held a ceremony in honor of those killed.

Wanis al-Sharef, Libya's deputy Interior Minister said on September 13, that the attacks on the consulate were suspected to be timed to coincide with the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and militants used protests over the anti-Islam film as cover for their attack. He described the attack as a two-phase assault on the consulate and a secret safe house.[10]

Fatalities

Four Americans died in the attack: Ambassador Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith, and two security personnel, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods. The security personnel killed in the assault have been identified as former Navy SEALs.[19] It was earlier reported that ten Libyan guards died; this was not the case. [20]

Security breaches

The attack was planned in advance, even though Stevens returned to Libya only shortly before in a confidential visit.[21]

Sensitive documents were missing after the attack, including documents listing the names of Libyans working with the Americans, and documents relating to oil contracts. Mortars attacked a safe house, intended to be a secret location, where embassy staff had regrouped. Other locations in Libya of this type are no longer regarded as safe. (All staff were moved to the capital, Tripoli, with nonessential personnel to be flown out of Libya)[21]

Aftermath

Libyan Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur's office condemned the attack and extended condolences, saying: "While strongly condemning any attempt to abuse the person of Muhammad, or an insult to our holy places and prejudice against the faith, we reject and strongly condemn the use of force to terrorise innocent people and the killing of innocent people." It also reaffirmed "the depth of relationship between the peoples of Libya and the U.S., which grew closer with the positions taken by the U.S. government in support of the revolution of February 17."[22] Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, the President of the General National Congress of Libya, said: "We apologise to the United States, the people and to the whole world for what happened. We confirm that no-one will escape from punishment and questioning."[23]

Libyans held demonstrations in Benghazi[24] and Tripoli[25] on September 12, condemning the violence and holding signs such as, "Chris Stevens was a friend to all Libyans", and apologizing to Americans for the actions in their name and in the name of Muslims. The New York Times noted that young Libyans had also flooded Twitter with pro-American messages after the attacks.[25] It was noted that Libyans are typically more positively inclined towards the US than their neighbors.[26] A 2012 Gallup poll noted that "A majority of Libyans (54%) surveyed in March and April 2012 approve of the leadership of the U.S. -- among the highest approval Gallup has ever recorded in the... region, outside of Israel." [27] Another poll in Eastern Libya, taken in 2011, reported that the population was at the same time both deeply religious conservative Muslims and very pro-American, with 90% of respondents reporting favorable views of the US.[28][29]

Ali Aujali, the ambassador to the US, praised Stevens as a "dear friend" and a "real hero" at a reception in Washington alongside Hillary Clinton. He also urged the US to continue supporting Libya this "very difficult time" and that the young Libyan government needed help so that it could "maintain...security and stability in our country."[30]

The Libyan response to the crisis was praised and appreciated in the US, and President Obama emphasized how the Libyans "helped our diplomats to safety" to an American audience the following day.[31], while a New York Times editorial criticized Egypt's government for not doing "what Libyan leaders did." [32]

Libyan authorities arrested some 50 people in connection with the attack on 16 September and Mohamed Magarief said that the attack was pre-planned. He said that suspects were connected to al-Qaeda, or its "affiliates and maybe sympathisers" and said that it was "planned by foreigners" that has entered the country from "Mali and Algeria" a few months before the attacks.[33]

US Government Response

President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, delivering a statement at the White House on September 12, 2012 in which he condemned the attack on the U.S. Consulate.[34]

U.S. President Barack Obama said that he "strongly condemned this outrageous attack" on U.S. diplomatic facilities. He further ordered that security be increased at all such facilities.[35] A Marine FAST team was sent to Libya to help with security.[36]

The Obama administration opened an investigation into whether the attack in Libya was a planned terrorist attack on the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, because it was "too coordinated or professional to be spontaneous", rather than a spontaneous mob that was angry over a YouTube video criticizing Islam.[37] According to The New York Times and CNN, officials within the Obama administration have said that they believe the attack in Benghazi was deliberate,[38] and reports indicate one or more[39][40] pro-al Qaeda groups may have been involved in the attack.

The United States Navy dispatched two Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the USS McFaul and the USS Laboon, to the Libyan coast. The destroyers are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles. American UAVs were also sent to fly over Libya to search for the perpetrators of the attack.[41]

International reactions

Main article: Reactions to the 2012 diplomatic missions attacks

References

  1. ^ "Statement on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya". Department of State. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  2. ^ Ellement, John (September 13, 2012). "Winchester native among victims of Libya attack". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  3. ^ Debbi Baker (September 13, 2012). "Two ex-SEALs from SD killed in Libya". U-T San Diego.
  4. ^ "Libya rescue squad ran into fierce, accurate ambush". Reuters. September 12, 2012.
  5. ^ Pentagon to review video of Libya attack - CNN.com blogs
  6. ^ "Libya identifies 50 involved in U.S. attack: official". Reuters. Sept 15, 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Sengupta, Ken (September 13, 2012). "Revealed: inside story of U.S. envoy's assassination". The Independent. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  8. ^ Allen, Mike (September 13, 2012). "U.S. rebuts British report on Libya". Politico. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  9. ^ Siobhan Gorman and Adam Entous (September 14, 2012). "U.S. Probing al Qaeda Link in Libya". Wall Street Journal.
  10. ^ a b Catherine Herridge (September 13, 2012). "Consulate attack planned as 2-part militant assault, Libyan official says". FoxNews.com.
  11. ^ Bushnell, Prudence (September 13, 2012). "Our diplomats deserve better (op-ed)". The New York Times.
  12. ^ a b Robertson, Nic; Cruickshank, Paul; Lister, Tim (September 13, 2012). "Pro-al Qaeda group seen behind deadly Benghazi attack". CNN. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  13. ^ Jomana Karadsheh and Nic Robertson (June 6, 2012). "U.S. mission in Benghazi attacked to avenge al Qaeda". CNN.
  14. ^ "Al Qaeda confirms death of bin Laden confidant Libi". Reuters. September 11, 2012.
  15. ^ Jason Hanna (September 12, 2012). "Six things to know about attack that killed Ambassador Stevens". CNN.
  16. ^ a b Judson Berger (September 13, 2012). "Gunfire, then a missing ambassador - officials describe chaotic scene at Benghazi post". FoxNews.com.
  17. ^ "US ambassador killed in Libya attack: Chris Stevens 'given CPR for 90 minutes', says Benghazi doctor". The Daily Telegraph. September 13, 2012.
  18. ^ "US envoy dies in Benghazi consulate attack". Al Jazeera English. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  19. ^ "Former Navy SEALs identified as consulate attack victims". Fox News. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "No Libyans died in Benghazi attack". Libya Herald. Retrieved September 15,2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  21. ^ a b Kim Sengupta (September 14, 2012). "Revealed: inside story of US envoy's assassination".
  22. ^ "Statement regarding the events at US Consulate in Benghazi" (in Arabic). Libyan Prime Minister's Office. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  23. ^ "US ambassador, consul among 4 killed in militia attack on Benghazi consulate". Russia Today. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  24. ^ Jessica Testa (September 12, 2012). "15 Photos Of Libyans Apologizing To Americans" (photographs). BuzzFeed.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)(Additional such photographs.)
  25. ^ a b Robert F. Worth (September 12, 2012). "Struggle for Ideological Upper Hand in Muslim World Seen as Factor in Attacks". New York Times.
  26. ^ Armbruster, Ben (September 12, 2012). "Clinton: Libya Attacks By A 'Savage Group,' Not Libyan Government Or Its People". ThinkProgress. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  27. ^ Jay Loschky (August 18, 2012). "Opinion Briefing: Libyans Eye New Relations With the West". Gallup World Polling.
  28. ^ Dan Murphy (December 26, 2011). "Eastern Libya poll indicates political Islam will closely follow democracy". CS Monitor.
  29. ^ "Survey of Public Opinion in Eastern Libya" (PDF). International Republican Institute. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  30. ^ "Remarks at Reception Marking Eid ul-Fitr". U.S. Department of State. Sept. 13, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Helene Cooper (September 14, 2012). "Egypt May Be Bigger Concern Than Libya for White House". {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  32. ^ "Belated Response From Egypt". September 14, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  33. ^ Libya 'arrests 50' over Benghazi US consulate deaths
  34. ^ Compton, Matt (September 12, 2012). "President Obama Discusses the Attack in Benghazi, Libya". The White House. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  35. ^ "US won't rule out Islamist militant link to attack on US consulate in Libya". Worldnews.nbcnews.com. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  36. ^ "US Marine anti-terrorism team heads to Libya: official". AFP. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  37. ^ "Were Libya attacks coordinated to mark 9/11?". Yedioth Ahronot. Associated Press. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  38. ^ "Libya Attack Brings Challenges for U.S". The New York Times. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  39. ^ "Pro-al Qaeda group seen behind deadly Benghazi attack". CNN.com. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  40. ^ "US ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack". Reuters. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  41. ^ "U.S. struggles to determine whether Libya attack was planned". CNN. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.

32°03′40″N 20°04′50″E / 32.06111°N 20.08056°E / 32.06111; 20.08056

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