The 2012 Benghazi attack took place on the evening of September 11, 2012, when Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith.
How many CIA operatives were on the ground in Benghazi?
In August 2013, it was reported by Drew Griffin and Kathleen Johnston of CNN that dozens of CIA operatives were on the ground in Benghazi on the night of the attack. Their sources say 35 people were on the ground in Benghazi the night of attack, and 21 of those worked in the annex building.
What happened to the British consulate in Benghazi?
The British Foreign Office withdrew all consular staff from Benghazi in late June 2012. On June 18, 2012, the Tunisian Consulate in Benghazi was attacked by individuals affiliated with Ansar al-Sharia, allegedly because of “attacks by Tunisian artists against Islam”.
Were the protests outside the Egyptian consulate in Cairo linked to Benghazi?
On September 13 th, CNN reported the testimony of State Department officials who denied a link between the protests outside the consulate in Cairo and the attack on the embassy in Benghazi, calling the latter a ‘clearly planned attack.’
Why did the State Department disobey the OspB in Benghazi?
The desire of the State Department to maintain a low profile in Benghazi has been cited as the reason why the State Department circumvented their own Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB) standards for diplomatic security. In the aftermath, Clinton sought to take responsibility for the security lapses at Benghazi and expressed personal regret.
Why did Ansar al-Sharia attack the Tunisia consulate in Benghazi?
On June 18, 2012, the Tunisian consulate in Benghazi was attacked by individuals affiliated with Ansar al-Sharia, allegedly because of “attacks by Tunisian artists against Islam”.
