September 11, 2012:

The American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya was attacked by members of Ansar al-Sharia at 21:40. The group launched a mortar attack at a CIA annex the next morning at 04:00, approximately one mile away. Although the attacks were thought to be caused by a recently released anti-Muslim video, later investigations found it had been premeditated. Whether or not US officials had information that could have prevented the attacks has since been highly scrutinized. In the aftermath, many Libyans prominently condemned the attacks and the use of violence. —U.S. House of Representatives

Impact:

• 4 fatalities (American)
• 10 injured

Related Resources:

• HSDL In Focus:  Global Terrorism
• S. Hrg. 113-164: Department of Defense’s Response to the Attack on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, and the Findings of its Internal Review Following the Attack, Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, February 7, 2013
• Investigative Report on the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11-12, 2012, A Report by Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, November 21, 2014
• Hearing Number One: Hearing Before the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attacks in Benghazi, Libya, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, Held in Washington, Dc, September 17, 2014
• HSDL search results for: Benghazi Attacks

Photo: (Credit: Senior Airman Steele C.G. Britton/USAF) Army Chaplain Col. J. Wesley Smith delivers remarks at the dignified transfer ceremony for U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service officer Sean Smith, and security officers Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Sept. 14, 2012. The four men were killed during a Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.