U.S. Sending Drones to Hunt Libyan Attackers
CNN reports that the United States will send unmanned drones to Libya to look for jihadist camps, as the White House now accepts the belief that the Benghazi attack was the premeditated work of terrorists. U.S. officials say the attack was not a direct assassination attempt on Ambassador Christopher Stevens, but that used the otherwise peaceful protest of an anti-Muslim film as a diversion to infiltrate the area and then strike the compound.
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Nic Robertson of CNN reports that the top suspects are the Omar Abdul Rahman Brigades, named after the infamous "Blind Sheikh", who is currently in jail for orchestrating the original 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The group has claimed responsiblity for previous attacks in the Benghazi area and even attacked the same diplomatic offices back in June. On September 11, al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri called for new attacks to avenge the death of Abu Yahya al-Libi, who had been the No. 2 man in the Libyan Brigade.
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The U.S. has previously flown surveillance missions over the Benghazi area in the search for terrorist camps, but has not launched any attacks using the drones, leaving that to Libya forces. However, given the failure of Libyan security at the embassy, it's possible that U.S. military will take action, should any groups be found that can be tied to the attack.
