DATE AND TIME PUBLISHED: 20/6/2021 (Sunday), 8.30 PM
WRITTEN BY: KAM2284D
1. NOR NADIA BINTI AZMAN (2020899318)
2. INTAN NAZIFA BINTI JONID (2020899312)
3. SITI NAJIHA BINTI SHAIFUL NIZAM (2020862062)
4. MUHAMMAD ILHAM BIN MOHD AZHARI (2020608314)
5. AZREEN SHAHIRA BINTI MD ASRI (2020483726)
TOPIC : SEPTEMBER 2012 BENGHAZI ATTACK BY ANSAR AL-SHARIA
1. INTRODUCTION
The Benghazi attack took place on 11 September 2012. The attacked took place in the Benghazi, Libya, against two United States government facilities. This attack has killed 4 people and injured 11 others exclude the attackers. The attack was carried out by the terrorist group Ansar al-sharia. The group is also linked to the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Members of Ansar al-Sharia attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi resulting in the deaths of both United States Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith.
Ansar
al-Sharia (Proponents of Islamic Law) is a Jihad group that supports the
implementation of Sharia Law throughout Libya. Founded in 2011, the group
consists of Ansar al-Sharia Derna and the Ansar al-Sharia Brigades in Benghazi.
Ansar al-Sharia was formed during the Libyan Civil War and rose to prominence
after the killing of Muammar Gaddafi. Made up of former rebels from the Abu
Obayda Bin Aljarah Brigade, Malik Brigade and February 17th Martyrs Brigade and
several other groups the Salafist militia initially made their name by posting
videos of themselves fighting in the Battle of Sirte, the final battle in the
war. Ansar al-Sharia is mostly concentrated in Benghazi and is an unknown
number of former militia rebels. The group came to international attention
after its role in the American Benghazi attacks. After facing a lot of good
reactions from Libya and abroad, the group tried to recreate a rebranding,
including denouncing terrorism.
The
Ansar al-Sharia group has been involved in social services and charity work in
recent years, although foreign and local intelligence claims it is involved
with other extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda. Until January 2015 this group was
led by Muhammad as-Zahawi. The organization declared its formal dissolution on
May 27, 2017, following devastating casualties that took out the majority of
its leadership and devastated its warriors.
2. THE INCIDENT OF SEPTEMBER 2012 BENGHAZI ATTACK BY
ANSAR AL-SHARIA (WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHO)
On 11th
until 12th September 2012, Benghazi located in Libya was attacked by
a group of international terrorists called Ansar-Al Sharia. The attack had
sacrificed lives such as United States Ambassador to Libya, Stevens and Foreign
Service Officer, Smith.
The
terrorist act happened in different locations which were Department of State or
known as Temporary Mission Facility and the facility of Annex. During the
incident on 11th September, United States Ambassador to Libya,
Stevens were accompanied by a total of two Diplomatic Security who had
travelled to Benghazi with Stevens. Foreign Service Officer, Sean Smith was
also present in Benghazi along with 3 others Diplomatic Security agents. These
people were assigned at the Temporary Mission Facility. Here, Libyan officials
such as Libyan militia as well as a total number of four unarmed local guards
were protecting the area of Temporary Mission Facility
On 11th
September 2012, the Ambassador had attended several meetings during the day
time and later went back to assigned room at around 9 PM at night local time.
Approximately 40 minutes later, the agents occupying the area as well as the
guards had heard loud noises such as shouting, gunfire and an explosion coming
from the gate. When this happened, the Diplomatic Security quickly reached for
the alarm and quicky informed another United States Embassy which was at
Tripoli. The headquarters of Diplomatic Security in Washington was also alerted
upon this attack. Diplomatic Security headquarters was on the line with
Diplomatic Security personnel in Libya during the attack
During
the commencement of the attack, a total of four agents from Diplomatic Security
and Foreign Service Officer, Smith were in or near the same building as the
Ambassador was resting that night. The fifth Diplomatic Security agent was in
the Tactical Operations Centre when the attack happened. The ambassador, Steven
and Foreign Service Officer, Smith as well as a Diplomatic Security agent took
a shelter in the safe spot located in the building. This safe spot was designed
specially to hide from the intruders or terrorists. The other Diplomatic agents
went to find weapons and on their way back to protect the United States
officials, the Diplomatic Security had encountered with the members of Ansar
Al-Sharia
The
terrorist members had set several areas on fire by pouring diesel fuel as well
as entering several buildings withing the area. The terrorist tried to enter
the Tactical Operations Centre but failed to do so. However, the attackers
managed to enter the building where the United States Embassy was in along with
Diplomatic Security agents. The terrorist members decided to pour diesel fuel
surrounding the building where the Ambassador was in. When the attackers
provoked fire by igniting the diesel fuel, this had result in thick smoke
occupying the building. The smoke started to become thicker than before and
this was when the Diplomatic Security agent tried to escape from a nearby
window by assisting the Ambassador, Stevens and Foreign Service Officer, Smith
out from the building as it became harder to breath due to the thick smoke.
When the Diplomatic Security agent stepped out of the window, the Diplomatic
Security agent became separated from both the Embassy and Foreign Service
Officer. The agent decided to alert the Tactical Operations Centre for back up
and went back to the building to search for these two United States Officials.
The Foreign Service Officer’s body, Smith was found and managed to be removed.
Smith died due to the thick smoke. However, the United States Embassy, Stevens
were nowhere to be found
When
the Annex was informed upon the terrorist attack, Annex personnel had reached
out to the February 2017 Brigade, militias as well as the government of Libyan
in order to seek for assistance. At around 10.04 PM Libyan local time, a total
of six security personnel as well as a translator from Annex went to the
facility. When the time reached 10.25 PM, the security personnel from Annex
earlier had encountered with the group of terrorists. Here, a total of 15
minutes weapon fights occurred between the security personnel and members of
Ansar-Al Sharia. When the fight ended at 10.40 PM the security personnel
entered the Embassy’s building once again but was unable to find the Ambassador
At
around 11.15 PM, the security personnel had escorted the Diplomatic Security
Agents that were suffering from thick smoke inhalation due to continuous search
for the Ambassador and Foreign Service Officer back to Annex. When the
Americans had successfully returned to Annex, an attack had happened caused by
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) as well as small arms fire. The attack stopped
at around 1.01 AM
The
United States security officials who were based in Tripoli location had been
deployed to Benghazi by using the aircraft after being informed of the terrorist
attack and had arrived at approximately 1.15 AM. Here, the United States
security personnel had went through a negotiation process with Libyan
authorities regarding logistic matters for about 3 hours. The negotiation
lasted quite some time due to discussion regarding rescue efforts was unclear.
At around 5.04 AM, the team had finally arrived in Annex. At 10 minutes before,
a new assault had occur which included mortal rounds fired at the Annex. At
5.26 AM the attack has been silent. It was found that the security team members
which were Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty dead as well as two others were
wounded. Libyan forces, not militia had arrived around 6 AM with a total of 50
vehicles and had escorted the Americans to the airport
Earlier,
the United States Embassy was nowhere to
be found. At around 2 AM, the Embassy in Tripoli had received a call telling
the United States Embassador, Stevens had been rushed to a hospital in
Benghazi. An official form Libyan was assigned to Benghazi Medical Centre and
had confirmed that Stevens were there. According to a hospital staff, a total of
six locals of Libya brought Stevens to the emergency room at around 1.15 AM.
However, Stevens had failed to be alive even when the doctors tried to revive
the United States Embassador for approximately 45 minutes
3. REVIEW
3.1 CHALLENGES
3.1.1 Political Instability in Libya.
Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi authoritarian
leadership of Libya came to an end in February 2011. Libya was engulfed in violence
between anti-government factions and Qadhafi's administration from February to
October 2011. On October 20, 2011, opposition forces seized Sirte, the final
stronghold of Qadhafi, and murdered him. Qadhafi's death put an end to the
uprising, but it left the question of who would govern Libya and how they would
do it open.
Libyans resorted to the interim Transitional
National Council (TNC), created in the spring of 2011, to strengthen security
and begin the process of re-establishing national institutions within days
after Qadhafi's death. The TNC, on the other hand, had several difficulties,
including “struggling to settle the combustible regional and factional
rivalries or impose authority even over its own militias.” The TNC had to deal
with different armed factions that "remained a law unto itself" since
no coherent opposition force emerged from the civil war.
Libyan voters elected 200 members to the
General National Congress in the first national election since 1965 on July 7,
2012. The election of the General National Congress was a huge political
success, but when the assaults in Benghazi happened three months later in
September, the creation of a new administration was still in the works. Civil
order had not yet been restored.
3.1.2 Incapability of Libyan government to protect U.S.
diplomatic facilities and personnel, as required by longstanding international
agreements.
The obligation of a host country to
protect and defend a foreign country's diplomatic staff and facilities has been
defined in numerous international treaties, notably the Vienna Convention on
Consular Relations, which says that “The receiving State has a specific
responsibility to safeguard the consular premises from any trespass or damage,
as well as to avoid any disturbance of the diplomatic post's tranquilly or
degradation of its dignity.” The Treaty also states that “the receiving State
shall treat consular officers with due respect and shall take all appropriate
steps to prevent any attack on their person, freedom or dignity.”
A host country’s protection of an
American embassy or other diplomatic facilities is one of the most important
elements of security at that facility, but it is not the only one. A facility’s
own security, such as its U.S. Marine Corps Security Guards, DS agents, and in
some cases, private security guards under contract, is also critical to its
overall security posture. States whose governments do not exercise full control
over their sovereign territory, or that have a limited security capability,
cannot be counted on to safeguard U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities.
This is usually true, of course, in the aftermath of a revolution or civil war
as the case in Libya, where the provision of protective services by the host
nations is unpredictable at best.
The Libyan administration was unable
to provide security protection to foreign diplomatic installations in a way
compatible with international law due to the country's unpredictable political
and security circumstances, notably in eastern Libya. That's why the State
Department enlisted the help of a local militia, the February 17 Brigade, as
well as unarmed Libyan guards hired via a private security business to secure
the Benghazi site. Department of State officials questioned the February 17
Brigade's competency and raised reservations about its capabilities throughout
2012. Members of the February 17 Brigade were also involved in the
extrajudicial imprisonment of US diplomatic employees in at least one instance
in Benghazi, according to US State Department officials. While the February 17
Brigade provided some security and would certainly respond to an attack, Eric
Nordstrom informed the Committee that they definitely required more training.
Only a small amount of training was ever done.
The Libyan government's capacity to send in
reinforcements to rescue or remove workers from the Benghazi site was likewise
severely constrained. This limitation was acknowledged by the Department of State.
RSO Nordstrom wrote to his superiors on February 1, 2012, that the political
situation in post-revolution Libya was "fragile" and that "many
essential governmental institutions, including emergency services and tourism
facilities, are not yet fully functioning."
3.1.3 The questionable loyalty of February 17 Brigade
militia to the Libyan government.
Some Americans questioned the Brigade's
allegiance to the Libyan government, as well as its ability or motivation to
protect American interests. “Unfortunately, given the present threat to the
diplomatic mission, militia members not currently on the four-man team
stationed at the facility have voiced discomfort about demonstrating active
open support for the Americans in Benghazi,” an RSO in Benghazi wrote in June
2012.
By the time of the attack, the State
Department's contract with the February 17 Brigade had ended. On August 29,
2012, the chief US diplomatic official in Benghazi wrote to his replacement
that the militia's contract had "lapsed some weeks ago," but that
they were still functioning under its conditions. “This is a difficult matter
since we are depending on a militia in place of the central authority, and the
Feb 17 Brigade has been implicated in numerous recent detentions,” he added. We
also have our normal reservations about their ultimate allegiances. They are,
nevertheless, competent and provide us with an extra layer of security. I don't
believe we have a credible option at this time.”
A member of the February 17 Brigade notified
another RSO in Benghazi in early September that the Brigade could no longer
facilitate US troop movements. The RSO also inquired about the militia's
ability to offer extra support for the Ambassador's upcoming visit, but was
told no.
3.2 SIGNIFICANCE
The Salafists in Libya have been up against a
double challenge. First, losing Muammar Qaddafi's backing, who, although having
battled them on numerous fronts, continued to collaborate and co-opt Islamist
militias, even threatening to release them in the aftermath of the February 17
revolution Salafists
have felt intimidated and ostracised. They have appealed to the public by
appealing to anti-American emotions, much as they did in Egypt. They used the
production of the American film to stage a high-profile action with several
goals in mind, including sending a message of defiance to seculars and the
West, appealing to the local population, and demonstrating that while they may
have lost politically, they are still a military force to be reckoned with.
Ambassador Stevens' death is a highly
contentious occurrence because no US ambassador has been assassinated in the
Middle East since Ambassador Francis E. Meloy Jr. was killed in Lebanon in
1976. The killing highlights the serious problems that the US, as well as
transitional and incumbent governments in the Arab East, have in dealing with
Islamist extremists. Despite the fact that the Arab world is seeing the dawn of
a new age filled with hope, it is an unmistakable reality that democratic wins
are a loss for extremist organisations. They are likely to take drastic efforts
to sabotage the democratic transition and reclaim power.
3.3 FACTORS
1)
The ideology of Ansar Al-Sharia
The
ideology of Ansar Al-Sharia that allies with Al-Qaeda where they are having
same ideology. They wanted to spread their ideology. One of their ideology is
Islamism. Islamism often referred to as political Islam or Islamic
fundamentalism by definition refers to “a broad group of political ideologies
that utilize and draw inspiration from Islamic symbols and traditions in
achieving socio-political objectives”
2)
Diplomatic Mission
The
2012 Benghazi attacks were a coordinated attack on two United States government
facilities in Benghazi, Libya by members of the Islamic militant group Ansar
al-Sharia
3)
Security gap
Before
the terrorist attacks in Libya on 11th September 2012, it happened
widely it is understood that the Libyan government is unable to carry out its
duty to protect United States diplomatic facilities and staff, as required by
the old international. The responsibility of the host country to protect
foreign diplomatic officials and facilities in his country have been codified
in several international agreements, including 1963 Vienna Convention on
Consular Relations, which states that “he accepts the State is under special
duty to take all appropriate measures to protect the consular premises from any
encroachment or damage and to avoid disruption of consular postal orders or
damage thereof dignity." agreement, but the State Department failed to
take adequate steps to fill the results security gaps, or to invest in improving
Libyan security forces
3.4 IMPACTS
Benghazi
Attack by Ansar Al-Sharia that happened in September 2012 has brings many
impacts especially in term of politics. The political impacts are in connection
with the USA,Libya and other Middle East and North African countries. This is
because, the terrorist has caused deaths and injuries during their attacks
towards four US citizen and hundreds of Libyan people. Due to that, the nations
that involved have cooperated in order to take diplomatic action regarding
security in the region. The action taken
by Libyan Prime Minister such as apologize to US as well as the other countries
as well and condemning the attack by terrorist has depth the relationship
between the Libyan people and U.S has grown well as the government of US show
their support in revolution of February 2017.
The relationship that been grown strength are been used efficiently as
it can bring helps to Libyan government to maintain and increase the security
and stability in their country. Not only that, because of Libyan responses ,
they were received great praised and appreciated in United Stated especially
from US President which clearly said in his speech on how Libyan has helped
their diplomats to ensure their safety to American audience in the following
day. Apart from that, Egypt’s Government received criticism for not doing the
same things as Libyan leaders did as Egypt’s leader remained silent on these
issues. The attack also has caused government campaign to dissolve militias.
The government has declared that all unauthorized militias only has 48 hours to
make choice either they want to dissolve or be under control of government. Not
only that, bearing arms in public also has been said as illegal and cannot be
done. Due to that, government has set up with “National Mobile Force” in order
to remove illegal militias. Many of militias has gathered to hand over their
authority or weapons to the government as an acts of oblige. Meanwhile, the US
President has put ordered to increase the security as a whole and sending 50
members of Marine FAST team for Libya to enhance their security and also send
help for Libya in order to investigate the crime and capture the real
perpetrators.
3.5 RECOMMENDATION
Increased
security and military facilities
United
States intelligence agency must expand and broaden their focus in Libya and
further, about the violent Islamic extremist groups that are emerging in the
region that do not have strong operations ties with Al-Qaeda or its major
affiliated groups. One benefit of doing so will be increased tactical warning
capabilities, which kind of do not exist in Benghazi, but may exist even for
"opportunistic" attacks. The absence of specific intelligence about
impending attacks should not be preventing the State Department from taking
more effective measures to protect its staff and facilities in Benghazi. The
State Department must establish a mandatory process for determining safety
standards what applies to temporary facilities to ensure they are adequate
protected. The department must conduct a survey of local operator programs and
particularly the use of unqualified local guard contractors at high-risk posts
standards required for the protection of our staff or facilities. Moreover, the
Administration and Congress must work together to provide adequate, a resilient
and timely source of funds to procure diplomatic facilities and staff around
the world (Joseph I. Lieberman, 2012). All proposals to tackle the problem of
terrorism must be well implemented to ensure that the country can carry out its
daily activities peacefully.
4. CONCLUSION
In the aftermath of a terrorist attack, it is a must for government to take suitable actions in dealing with the consequences. The policy makers must take preventive action in order to avoid same events from happening again in the future. This is because, the attacks by terrorist will make the citizen in the country feeling threaten and not feel safe so the action by government plays very important role in ensuring the safety and peace of its people. Doing nothing not only not solving any of the problems but also put the authority of the government itself as questionable as they are not doing their responsibility. Doing something new is always better than doing nothing. One of the things that government can do to improve the national defence and security system is where the government needs to constantly come out with new several strategies to ensure the safety of the people is well maintained. Apart from that, receiving help from those countries who have advance manpower or technology, definitely will become a great source of help for the country itself. In order to reduce the bad impacts of the terrorist attack all parties must work together as a whole.
5.REFERENCES
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S. (2018, June 27). Ringleader in Benghazi attacks is sentenced.
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https://www.macombdaily.com/news/nation-world-news/ringleader-in-benghazi-attacks-is-sentenced/article_4ad0c05e-e483-51f5-a956-95464b8d1ae0.html
Lieberman,
J. I., & Collins, S. M. (2012). Terrorist Attack At Benghazi.
United States: United States Senate Committee On Homeland Security And
Govermental Affairs.
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L. (2012, December 19). Benghazi siege: The ambassador's last minutes.
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Amerika di Benghazi, Libya - Apa yang Berlaku?. Retrieved from world kjkjkkjkwide web: https://ms.history-hub.com/2012-serangan-ke-amerika-di-benghazi-libya-
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A. (2014, January 27). 2012 Benghazi attack. Retrieved from
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I. Lieberman, C. S. (2012, December 30). Flashing Red:A Special Report On
The Terrorist Attack At Benghazi. Retrieved from fas.org: https://fas.org/irp/congress/2012_rpt/benghazi.pdf
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W. E., Burgat, F., Piscatori, J., & (2009), A. S. (2021, June 17 ). Islamism.
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6. APPENDIX
Figure 2 : Benghazi Attack News
Figure 3 : Foreign Service Officer,
Sean Smith who died during the attack.
Figure 4 : United States Ambassador
to Libya, Stevens died during the attack.
Figure 5 : The ringleader of the
attack, Abu Khattala (Libyan leader of Ansar Al-Sharia)
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