State Dept. Report Lists 6 Terror Attacks Last Year in Benghazi Before 9/11 Attack

    The State Department released its annual Country Reports on Terrorism 2012 survey on Thursday.  The section on the Middle East and North Africa includes a report on incidents in Libya.  All told, there were eleven terrorism-related incidents in Libya prior to the 9/11 attacks in Benghazi that took the life of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods.  Six of those eleven incidents took place in Benghazi:

• On May 22, assailants launched a rocket-propelled grenade at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s building in Benghazi. The violent Islamist extremist group Brigades of Captive Omar Abdul Rahman claimed responsibility for the attack. The ICRC evacuated Benghazi in mid-July. 

• On June 6, violent extremists attacked the U.S. facilities in Benghazi with an improvised explosive device (IED). The group claimed that the attack was in retaliation for the assassination of Abu-Yahya al-Libi, the second highest ranking leader of al-Qa’ida. 

• On June 11, a convoy carrying the British Ambassador to Libya was attacked in Benghazi. 

• In August, there was a series of attacks against security personnel and facilities, including the bombing of the Benghazi military intelligence offices on August 1...

• On August 10, Army General Hadiya al-Feitouri was assassinated in Benghazi. 

• On August 20, a car belonging to an Egyptian diplomat was blown up near his home in Benghazi. 

     The report then lists the most infamous attack as well:

• On September 11, terrorists attacked the U.S. facilities in Benghazi, which resulted in the death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three staff members.

    Also noted are five terrorism-related incidents in Benghazi following the 9/11 attacks.


Note: The article first appeared at The Weekly Standard.