Frightened America : Second attack after 9/11

Anil Naendra

 On Tuesday, it was the anniversary of the most dreadful terror attack in the US history. Three thousand citizens paid tribute at Ground Zero, the Pentagon in New York on the 11^th anniversary of the fearsome attack. Simple ceremonies were held to commemorate the 11^th September 2001 terror attacks. At the time, when the US was grieving over the 9/11 attacks, a terrifying attack was taking place thousands miles away on the US Embassy in Benghazi city in Libya. It would not be wrong to say that this was the second big attack on America after 9/11. Thousands of demonstrators attacked the US Consulate with rockets, automatic weapons and bombs. It was such an intense attack that the US Envoy Christopher Stevens and three other Embassy staff were killed in it. Christopher had visited the eastern city of Libya, Benghazi. The Envoy was present at the Consulate, when thousands of demonstrators attacked the Consulate. The demonstrators were unhappy over the exhibition of a film against Islam. In fact this film incited violence. A 14 minute-trailer of this film was released on the U-Tube. It is alleged that this film depicted Islam prophet in a bad taste. Sam Bassiel, a resident of California, claims to be the Producer and Director of the film. He claims to be an Israeli national, but the Israel Government has refuted his claim and says that it has no relation whatsoever with him. Quoting Libyan Internal Ministry, the news channel Al Jazeera says that hundreds of armed demonstrators resorted to firing and attacked the Consulate with rocket launchers. They also clashed with the security personnel at the Consulate. The demonstrators set fire to the Consulate complex. When Stevens reached the Consulate to the rescue of people surrounded by the demonstrators, rockets fell inside. It is thought that he died due to this rocket attack. Earlier, Islamic demonstrators held demonstrations against this film at the US Embassy at the Egyptian Capital, Cairo. Muslim Brotherhood activists climbed on the courtyard walls and put Islamic banner in place of US flag. Christopher Stevens was the second US Ambassador to be killed in such attacks. Earlier, the US Envoy to Afghanistan, Adolf Dubbs was assassinated in Kabul in 1979. Fluent in Arabic and French, the US Envoy, Christopher Stevens was witness to the Libyan revolution. Benghazi was the epicenter of the revolt against Gaddafi in Libya. Stevens had said, ‘I am proud to be the Ambassador during those days of revolution. I was thrilled to see Libyan people demanding their rights.’ In this attack, two marines and another official of the State Department were also killed. Eye witnesses recall that Ansar-al-Sharia, an organization having links with Al Qaeda had attacked with machine guns, grenades and rifles. The attackers include the supporters of Gaddafi. President Obama called Stevens a courageous American envoy. He said that we are with his family and we shall take his work forward with double vigour. This is election year in the US. It is a big challenge to the career of President Barak Obama. The credit for killing Osama bin Laden is likely to get faded with this attack. It is to be seen as to what would be American reply to this attack. It is not yet clear as to who is behind the attacks in Benghazi and Cairo. According to CNN, a flag recovered from the steps of the American Embassy, has written over it, ‘There is no other God except Allah and Hazarat Mohammad is His Prophet’. Usually, Al Qaeda uses such type of symbols. Ironically, the US Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta had warned that Al Qaeda has not finished yet. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Al Qaeda leader, has issued a video message on the anniversary of 9/11 attacks. The video posted on the Al Qaeda site claims that its fighters have defeated the US in Iraq. The truth has been revealed and lies have been shattered. This 57-minute video contains the statements of Spokesman for Laden, Adam Gadahn and other Al Qaeda leaders. The US people will once again ask Obama administration as to what were the American agencies doing? Was CIA not able to pre-empt such a massive attack in Benghazi? Once again CIA has failed.