CIA Discloses Covert Team’s Rapid Response to Benghazi Embassy Attack

Saturday, November 03, 2012
(photo: Mohammad Hannon, Associated Press)

In response to criticism from conservatives and Fox News, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) disclosed for the first time how its agents assisted the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, when it came under attack two months ago.

 

Republicans have tried to score political points by questioning the Obama administration’s reaction to the assault that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

 

In addition, Fox News reported last week that CIA leaders ordered security officers to “stand down” and not engage those attacking the diplomatic compound. The story also said the security team only responded after officers disobeyed their superiors and repelled the attackers.

 

The CIA countered these assertions on Thursday, telling the media that security operatives rushed to the compound within 25 minutes of the assault. The agency also organized the evacuation effort and took control of an unarmed U.S. military drone to map possible escape routes, according to the Washington Post.

 

An unidentified CIA official told the Post that the agency wanted the public to know that there was no delay in sending help once it learned of the attack, and that managers did not get in the way of responding.

–Noel Brinkerhoff

 

To Learn More:

CIA Rushed to Save Diplomats as Libya Attack Was Underway (by Greg Miller, Washington Post)

U.S. Says CIA Responded within 25 Minutes to Benghazi Attack (by Ken Dilanian, Los Angeles Times)

CIA Officials in Libya Made Key Decisions During Benghazi Attacks (by Mark Hosenball, Reuters)

Comments

George Wade 11 years ago
Hey Noel, Who gave the stand down order? Who gave the order to rush in 25 minutes after the attack? Why wasn't the White House in on these instructions? This is nothing more than a new track on the cover up. Give up on the video? This criminal negligence does rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors and will result in prosecution.
Mary 11 years ago
I understand that we want to hear the truth about what happened and to make sure that there was not a cover up but what about the security breaches that are happening because everyone is rushing to get details out about this incident? There is certain information that just should not be public at this point to protect the people who are working oversees to keep peace in these countries. If we allow info to get out that should not be disclosed we have no credibility with those working with us in various regions and that are risking their lives to work with our country.
CHe Cazzo Dici? 11 years ago
Right, Brandt, because this "official" story is the no doubt, irrefutable absolute truth, no lie. An unidentified source is of course unimpeachable as a truth sayer, because the government never ever lies to cover their ass. "Public access to real facts is being whitewashed"? Riddle me this genius, who controls the "access to facts"? Fox News? Or the CIA?
Brandt 11 years ago
The situation in Libya is being politicized and the victims and there families being instrumented as a ruse to create doubt of Obama’s leadership. Public access to real facts is being whitewashed by this rhetoric while conservative hands paint the Blackface on our President. Watch them mix and apply the paints to his face in a portrait of Obama being Bamboozed by the Far Right at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/10/bamboozling-obama.html

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