Sources tell CNN that “three or four” Al Qaeda operatives took part in the September 11th attack on the US consulate in Benghazi that left Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.
We have to get our information on the attack from anonymous sources to CNN because the Obama Administration, which was in reelection mode at the time, has stonewalled the investigation since day one.
Another source briefed on the Benghazi investigation said Western intelligence services suspect the men may have been sent by the group specifically to carry out the attack. But it’s not been ruled out that they were already in the city and participated as the opportunity arose.
The attack on the compound and subsequently on a “safe-house” to which Americans had been evacuated left four U.S. citizens dead, including the ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens.
If the AQAP members were dispatched to Benghazi, it would be further evidence of a new level of co-operation among jihadist groups throughout the Middle East and North Africa, counterterrorism analysts say.
Two domestic political factors at play:
1) A new alliance with jihadist groups and Al Qaeda operatives successfully carrying out attacks on American targets would undermine the Obama Administration’s claims that we have AQ on the brink of defeat.
2) There have been, from day one, reports that military assets were in the region and could have been deployed, as requested by those on the ground, to defend the Americans during the 7-hour attack. But due to incompetence the assets were never deployed.
Either or both would reflect poorly on the Obama Administration, so the administration has stonewalled the investigation at every corner. Whistleblowers have reportedly even been threatened by the administration, which is trying to block Congress’ ongoing investigation.
11. May 2013