Probe finds deadly Niger mission lacked proper approval
Source: Associated Press
By LOLITA C. BALDOR
WASHINGTON (AP) A military investigation into the Niger attack that killed four American service members concludes the team didnt get required senior command approval for their risky mission to capture a high-level Islamic State militant, several U.S. officials familiar with the report said. It doesnt point to that failure as a cause of the deadly ambush.
Initial information suggested the Army Special Forces team set out on its October mission to meet local Nigerien leaders, only to be redirected to assist a second unit hunting for Doundou Chefou, a militant suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an American aid worker. Officials say it now appears the team went after Chefou from the onset, without outlining that intent to higher-level commanders.
As a result, commanders couldnt accurately assess the missions risk, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the results of the investigation before theyre publicly released. The finding will likely increase scrutiny on U.S. military activity in Africa, particularly the role of special operations forces whove been advising and working with local troops on the continent for years.
Four U.S. soldiers and four Nigerien troops were killed Oct. 4 about 120 miles (200 kilometers) north of Niamey, Nigers capital, when they were attacked by as many as 100 Islamic State-linked militants traveling by vehicle and carrying small arms and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Two other American soldiers and eight Nigerien forces were wounded.
Read more: https://www.apnews.com/2bdf78669bdf414da089eefc244b9079/Probe-finds-deadly-Niger-mission-lacked-proper-approval
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Lack of approval likely means no backup, no matter the outcome (even this outcome).
Baitball Blogger
(46,716 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)petronius
(26,602 posts)was crowing about early on. Wasn't he claiming that our military wasn't going to be 'micro-managed' anymore, so troops could just 'do their jobs' and 'get stuff done?' Seems like maybe that attitude trickled down, given the leadership vacuum at the top...
Bayard
(22,075 posts)Easy to blame the troops.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)The military way, cause the dead can't defend themselves. They didn't go rouge, you pieces of crap.