Video: 'US consulate attack in Libya'
(Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 9:42 p.m. Eastern European Time; during the 2012 Benghazi attack) — Members of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia launched a fiery nightlong attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost and a CIA annex tonight in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith.
At around 4:00 a.m. on September 12, the group launched a mortar attack against a CIA annex approximately one mile (1.6 km) away, killing two CIA contractors Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty and wounding ten others.
Initial analysis by the CIA, repeated by top government officials, indicated that the attack spontaneously arose from a protest. Subsequent investigations showed that the attack was premeditated—although rioters and looters not originally part of the group may have joined in after the attacks began.
On Aug. 6, 2013, it was reported that the United States had filed criminal charges against several individuals alleged to have been involved in the attacks, including militia leader Ahmed Abu Khattala. Khattala has been described by both Libyan and United States officials as the Benghazi leader of Ansar al-Sharia.
Video: 'Benghazi, the attack and the scandal, explained'
The United States Department of State designated Ansar al-Sharia as a terrorist organization in January 2014.
Khattala was captured in Libya by United States Army Special Operations Forces, who were acting in coordination with the FBI, in June 2014.
Another suspect, Mustafa al-Imam, was captured in October 2017.
Despite persistent accusations against President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, ten investigations—six by Republican-controlled Congressional Committees—did not find that they or any other high-ranking Obama administration officials had acted improperly.
Four career State Department officials were criticized for denying requests for additional security at the facility prior to the attack. Eric J. Boswell, the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security, resigned under pressure, while three others were suspended. In her role as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton subsequently took responsibility for the security lapses.
