OBSERVATIONS FROM THE 11 AND 12 SEPTEMBER 2012 ATTACKS AGAINST THE U.S. CONSULATE AND SEPARATE U.S. FACILITY IN BENGHAZI, LIBYA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06398504
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: May 8, 2018
• Case Number: F-2015-02140
• Publication Date: September 14, 2012

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CITE CIA WASHINGTON DC 358771
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE
WARNING: ANY TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF THIS INFORMATION IN ANY
MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED. VIOLATORS
MAY BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, INCLUDING UNDER THE
ESPIONAGE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
REPORT CLASS SECRET//ORCON/NOFORN
01ST: 14 SEPTEMBER 2012
COUNTRY: (UHFOU0) LIBYA
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SUBJ: (SHOC/NF) OBSERVATIONS FROM THE 11 AND 12 SEPTEMBER 2012
Attacks Against the U.S. Consulate and Separate U.S.
Facility in Benghazi, Libya
DOI: (UHFOU0) Mid-September 2012
SOURCE: (S//NF) A CIA Officer.
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SUMMARY: (UHFOU0) None.
TEXT: 1. (Context Statement: The source of the following
information was a CIA officer with direct access to the below
events.)
2. On 11 September 2012 at approximately 2200 (local), during
an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, a commander of an
unidentified militia in the proximity of the facility stated that the
attackers belonged to the Ansar al-Shari'a militia. The militia
commander stated that he preferred to negotiate with the attackers
rather than move toward the Consulate and engage in armed
confrontation with them. At this time, there was no sign of a large
gathering or protest; the only individuals observed in front of the
Consulate were militia members who were neither participating in the
attack nor providing assistance to the Consulate.
3. The attackers breached the Consulate compound using
explosives and immediately attacked the guard building and lit it on
fire. Following this, they moved through the compound and attacked
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the various buildings, also lighting them on fire using fuel from the
compound's generators. In addition to small arms, the attackers
employed large-caliber weapons (NFI) and rocket propelled grenades
(RPGs) against the vehicles carrying U.S. personnel as they evacuated
from the U.S. Consulate.
4. On 12 September 2012 at approximately 0100 (local),
following the attack on the U.S. Consulate, groups of individuals
approached a separate U.S. facility in Benghazi and used small arms
and an RPG against the facility. Following an exchange of fire
between the attackers and U.S. personnel at the facility, the
attackers retreated. (CIA Officer Comment: The attackers likely were
aware of the general area in which the U.S. facility was located, but
it appeared they were uncertain as to its exact location. They were
likely unaware of the facility's defensive posture and were surprised
by the ability of the facility's personnel to effectively locate and
engage them.) At approximately 0500 on 12 September, the attackers
returned and engaged the same U.S. facility in Benghazi with mortar
fire. The first and second rounds landed to the south and north of
the compound, respectively, and subsequent rounds impacted within the
compound, including three to four direct hits on the compound's main
building. (CIA Officer Comment: The mortar fire was highly accurate
and was assessed to have originated from a racetrack approximately
800 meters south of the facility. The first and second shots likely
"bracketed" the main building and allowed the assailants to
accurately deliver follow-on rounds.)
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ACQ: (UHFOU0) Mid-September 2012
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WARNING: REPORT CLASS SECRET--DISSEMINATION AND EXTRACTION OF
INFORMATION BEYOND ORIGINAL RECIPIENTS CONTROLLED BY
ORIGINATOR--NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS.
ALL PORTIONS CARRY CLASSIFICATION
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