Benghazi Notes

Diplomatic Security agent Alec Henderson was in the Tactical Operations Center when the attack began. As soon as he saw attackers on the security monitors, he activated the compound's alarm siren and announced on the PA speakers that this wasn't a drill. He then informed both the nearby CIA Annex and the US Embassy in Tripoli of the attack. He designated himself as the emergency comms officer, using his cell phone and radios to remain in contact with the Annex, Tripoli, and his fellow DS agents on the compound.

Immediately upon the initial breach of the main gate, the attackers were engaged briefly by gunfire by one or more 17 Feb guards. According to one Diplomatic Security Agent, one of the guards was shot during this engagement. After this exchange, the 3 armed 17 Feb militiamen and 5 unarmed Blue Mtn Libya guards fled to points south and east inside the compound. The attackers cornered the 17 Feb guards inside their barracks and set fire to the barracks. Relying on the Libyan guards to sound the alarm, alert the DS agents, and serve as a first line of defense had been a mistake, as they did none of those things before abandoning their posts.

@DerrickSalas9 al-Qaeda assigned planners,leaders and recruited the attackers long in advance. To understand more, follow this account and @BenghaziAttacks and read the book Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy which profiles every attacker.

@BenghaziNotes Where were 60 attackers come from? I want to understand more?

The Libyan police service, called the Supreme Security Council (SSC), assigned to secure the vicinity outside of the State Dept mission compound, was complicit in the approaching attacks. The SSC was involved in the early morning casing incident outside the compound. (1/3)

At 9:40PM #Benghazi time, the SSC truck pulled away, not alerting the State Dept of the impending assault. Shots and explosions rang out, and more than 60 attackers rushed in. (3/3)

At 9:03PM on 9/11/12, Omar al-Shaalali arrived to serve as al-Qaeda's Ground Commander for the State Dept mission compound attacks. At the same time, a SSC police truck parked outside the compound's main gate. No one exited the truck or spoke with gate guards. The SSC truck provided cover for al-Qaeda as Omar spent about 40 minutes conducting surveillance of the area surrounding the compound, and preparing his arriving attackers. (2/3)

An analysis by Agincourt Solutions of social media posts in the #Benghazi area revealed that there was zero mention of the anti-Islam YouTube video prior to or even during the time of the 9/11/12 attack. Agincourt CEO Jeff Chapman: "We have seen no traffic in Benghazi – in the immediate lead up to the attack - related to the anti-Islam film." The earliest mention of the film was a retweet of a Russia Today news story on 9/12/12. foxnews.com/politics/analy…

All State Dept security agents present at the #Benghazi compound later testified that there was no protest and no activity outside the front gate in the hour leading up to the 9/11/12 terrorist attack.

Mahmoud and his brother Yousef, a fellow #Benghazi attacker, started guarding the two street entrances in front of their home in the Buzgheba area beginning in the early hours of 9/11/12 up until the attackers departed in the evening hours. Throughout the day, attackers were granted access to the area through makeshift checkpoints outside the family home. Armed attackers were then visible entering the property, where they remained until they loaded up in vehicles after sundown on the night of the attacks. (2/2)

The house of Mahmoud al-Awami, a member of Ansar al-Sharia-Benghazi, was one of the launch points for terrorists to travel from enroute to the State Dept mission compound attacks. (1/2)

Ambassador Stevens spent all of 9/11/12 inside the State Dept #Benghazi compound. His last meeting of the day there was with Turkish Consul General Ali Sait Akin. Stevens escorted the departing Akin to the front gate at 7:39PM. There is speculation that upon leaving his meeting with Ambassador Stevens, Akin would have had to cross a blockade in the streets that had already been set up by #Benghazi attackers. There is no record of him relaying a warning back to Stevens.

@sarahadams 😆

@BenghaziNotes They also came over weekly because we had amazing food

The State Dept DSS agents Alec Henderson, David Ubben and Scott Wickland met at least weekly with the CIA Annex GRS team to coordinate security efforts. In surveying the State Dept compound, GRS team knew it was extremely vulnerable in the event of an attack. Although it wasn't their official responsibility, it was well understood by both teams that the GRS team should serve as a Quick Reaction Force should the State Dept compound come under attack. As 9/11/12 approached, the GRS team was prepared for such an event, moving their weapons and tactical gear to their bedrooms so they could more quickly prepare for battle.

@sgtmdcoffey He's in the book but Rone is portrayed as the Team Lead in the movie.

@BenghaziNotes Was this guy portrayed in the book or movie

Security for the CIA Annex in #Benghazi, located 1/2 mile from the State Dept compound, was provided by a Global Response Staff (GRS) team, all with US military experience. (1/8)

There was another individual who was officially the GRS Team Lead. However, he made many poor decisions and stayed safely indoors during the multiple attacks on the CIA Annex. For all intents and purposes, the other team members saw Rone as their defacto Team Lead. (8/8)

Tyrone "Rone" Woods had 2 decades of experience as a Navy SEAL, serving in Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq, where he earned a Bronze Star with a "V" for valor. Rone was also a nurse and paramedic. Rone had decided that #Benghazi would be his last assignment with the GRS. (7/8)