Benghazi emails mortars used

You're referring to the controversy surrounding the 2012 Benghazi attack and the subsequent release of emails related to the incident.

In September 2012, the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya was attacked by militants, resulting in the deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. The attack was widely condemned, and the Obama administration faced criticism for its response to the incident.

In 2014, the House Select Committee on Benghazi, led by Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC), conducted an investigation into the attack and released a series of emails related to the incident. One of the emails in particular caught attention, as it appeared to show that the State Department had requested additional security measures for the Benghazi compound, but that these requests were denied.

The email in question was sent by Charlene Lamb, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Programs, to Eric Nordstrom, the Regional Security Officer at the US Embassy in Tripoli. The email, dated July 9, 2012, stated that the State Department had denied a request for additional security personnel at the Benghazi compound, citing budget constraints.

However, it was later revealed that the email was taken out of context and did not accurately reflect the situation. In fact, the State Department had approved a request for additional security personnel, but the personnel were not deployed to Benghazi due to a variety of factors, including logistical challenges and the fact that the compound was not considered to be a high-risk location at the time.

Regarding the use of mortars during the attack, it's worth noting that the attackers used a combination of weapons, including mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. The mortars were used to attack the US diplomatic compound, as well as a nearby CIA annex.

The use of mortars during the attack was widely reported, and it was one of the factors that contributed to the severity of the incident. The mortars were able to penetrate the compound's walls and cause significant damage, resulting in the deaths of several Americans.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Obama administration faced criticism for its response to the incident, including the delay in sending military assistance to Benghazi. The incident also led to a renewed debate about the security of US diplomatic facilities around the world, as well as the role of the State Department and the CIA in responding to crises.