Justice for Benghazi: Major Arrest Made in 2012 Terror Attack

With the recent arrest of Zubayar al-Bakoush, the name “Benghazi” is back in the headlines. If you were too young to follow the news in 2012, or just need a refresher on why this case is such a big deal, here is the simple breakdown of the event that changed American politics.

What Happened on September 11, 2012?

On the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a group of armed militants from a group called Ansar al-Sharia launched a coordinated assault in Benghazi, Libya.

• 9:40 PM: Attackers stormed the U.S. diplomatic compound using machine guns and grenades, eventually setting the main building on fire.
• The Second Attack: Hours later, the violence moved to a nearby secret CIA “Annex.” The militants launched a precision mortar attack on the roof of the building.

The Four Americans We Lost

The attack was a massive tragedy for the U.S. State Department and the intelligence community. Four brave men lost their lives:

1. J. Christopher Stevens: The U.S. Ambassador to Libya. He was the first American ambassador killed in the line of duty since 1979.
2. Sean Smith: A State Department information officer.
3. Tyrone Woods & Glen Doherty: Both were former Navy SEALs working as security contractors for the CIA. They died defending the Annex.

Why was it so controversial?

For years, Benghazi was at the center of a political firestorm in Washington.

• The “Video” Confusion: Initially, some U.S. officials suggested the attack was a spontaneous protest over an anti-Islam video on YouTube. Later, it was proven to be a calculated terrorist attack.
• Security Warnings: Investigations revealed that officials on the ground had asked for more security months before the attack, but those requests were denied.
• The Political Impact: The event led to years of Congressional hearings and was a major talking point during Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, as she was Secretary of State at the time.

The 13-Year Hunt

Since that night, the U.S. has never stopped looking for the people responsible.

• 2014: Special Forces captured Ahmed Abu Khatallah, a mastermind of the attack.
• 2017: Mustafa al-Imam was captured and brought to the U.S.
• Today (2026): The arrest of Zubayar al-Bakoush shows that the U.S. government still has an “open book” on this case.