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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Mar 6, 2018, 10:53 AM Mar 2018

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 didn’t 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 doesn’t 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 couldn’t accurately assess the mission’s risk, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the results of the investigation before they’re publicly released. The finding will likely increase scrutiny on U.S. military activity in Africa, particularly the role of special operations forces who’ve 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, Niger’s 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

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Probe finds deadly Niger mission lacked proper approval (Original Post) DonViejo Mar 2018 OP
That was a pretty brutal video to watch. AtheistCrusader Mar 2018 #1
Or someone used the Mission Impossible Deniability Clause. Baitball Blogger Mar 2018 #2
Oh, yeah. That's a good point. AtheistCrusader Mar 2018 #6
Sounds like the mindset and delegation approach that Trump petronius Mar 2018 #3
Its not like these men can defend themselves now, is it? Bayard Mar 2018 #4
Protecting the higher ups. Corgigal Mar 2018 #5

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
1. That was a pretty brutal video to watch.
Tue Mar 6, 2018, 11:11 AM
Mar 2018

Lack of approval likely means no backup, no matter the outcome (even this outcome).

petronius

(26,580 posts)
3. Sounds like the mindset and delegation approach that Trump
Tue Mar 6, 2018, 12:30 PM
Mar 2018

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...

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
5. Protecting the higher ups.
Tue Mar 6, 2018, 01:05 PM
Mar 2018

The military way, cause the dead can't defend themselves. They didn't go rouge, you pieces of crap.

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