Report: CIA Requests for Backup in Benghazi Were Repeatedly Denied

Here's something that could alter the discussion on the attacks in Benghazi: According to Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin, CIA operators on the scene repeatedly transmitted requests for military backup but were denied by U.S. officials. Not only that but the CIA operatives were also told twice to "stand down" rather than assist U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens after shots were heard at about 9:40 p.m. in Benghazi on Sept. 11. 

RELATED: Reports: Fewer Guards at Benghazi Consulate as Threats Increased

If true, the report would dramatically change the perception of the CIA operatives on the ground there, who've come under fire for the inadequate security provided to State Department officials. According to Griffin's report, "sources who were on the ground in Benghazi," say that former Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods and other security officials at a nearby CIA annex were told twice to "stand down" after hearing gunshots the night of the attacks. Refusing to follow orders, Woods and at least two others rushed at midnight to the besieged U.S. compound where Amb. Stevens resided and evacuated everyone they could find. They took fire from militants and retreated back to the compound. But when they returned to the CIA annex, their requests for backup to U.S. officials were again denied, as Griffin explains:

At that point, they called again for military support and help because they were taking fire at the CIA safe house, or annex. The request was denied. There were no communications problems at the annex, according those present at the compound. The team was in constant radio contact with their headquarters. In fact, at least one member of the team was on the roof of the annex manning a heavy machine gun when mortars were fired at the CIA compound. The security officer had a laser on the target that was firing and repeatedly requested back-up support from a Spectre gunship, which is commonly used by U.S. Special Operations forces to provide support to Special Operations teams on the ground involved in intense firefights. The fighting at the CIA annex went on for more than four hours -- enough time for any planes based in Sigonella Air base, just 480 miles away, to arrive. Fox News has also learned that two separate Tier One Special operations forces were told to wait, among them Delta Force operators. 

We asked the National Security Council about the story but a spokesperson declined to comment. We've not yet heard back from the CIA.

RELATED: This Is How Easy It Is to Enter the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi

But here's how the story could change the overall narrative of the security failures in Libya: If you recall, the House Oversight Committee's hearings on Libya earlier this month inadvertently drew attention to the fact that about a dozen CIA operatives and contractors were present near the U.S. compound in Benghazi while the attack was happening. Taking this into account, The Washington Post's Dana Milbank emphasized that blaming the State Department for security failures lodges complaints at the wrong door. "If the CIA was playing such a major role in these events, which was the unmistakable impression left by Wednesday’s hearing ... the victims may have been let down not by the State Department but by the CIA."

RELATED: Libya Attack Is Still Too Dangerous to Investigate

In light of today's report, it appears that blaming the CIA operatives doesn't make much sense at all given their repeated efforts to help out in the matter. What the Fox News report leaves out is who denied the requests to the CIA operatives. The only detail it mentions about the operatives' communication is that they were "in constant radio contact with their headquarters." Was the CIA denying those requests? Was the Pentagon? State Department? We've sent out questions to each agency and will update if we hear back.