In the world of counterterrorism, where anonymity frequently obscures the true identities of our adversaries, we are here to unveil the truth. Today, the era of terrorists hiding in the shadows ends for those who carried out the mortar attack on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Annex in Benghazi, Libya, on September 12, 2012. Yes, we are here to reveal the identities of the ten-man mortar team – our enemies.
These ten terrorists were part of the Ali Hassan al-Jaber Cell, operating under the banner of the Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade, a group that emerged as an offshoot of the 17 February Martyrs Brigade. Leading this organization was Mohammed al-Gharabi, who, at the time, served as al-Qa’ida’s Senior Commander for Benghazi. Gharabi had played a key role in the formation of 17 February, alongside co-founder Ismail al-Sallabi, who held the position of al-Qa’ida’s Deputy Senior Commander for Benghazi. 17 February was authorized by the Libyan Ministry of Interior to provide armed security at the U.S. Consulate (also known as the U.S. Mission) compound for the U.S. Department of State in 2012.
Terrorists Mohmmed al-Gharabi pictured on the left and Ismail al-Sallabi on the bottom right.
The Mastermind
As background, the attack on our CIA Annex was masterminded by the terrorist Wissam bin Humaid, who, at the time, led Libya Shield One. In a meeting on September 9th, 2012, with the Principal Officer from the U.S. Consulate (just prior to Ambassador Stevens’ arrival in Benghazi), Gharabi and Wissam made it clear that they would no longer guarantee security for the American presence and its diplomatic facilities in Benghazi. In the aftermath of the attack, Wissam went on to join al-Qa’ida, eventually rising to the position of al-Qa’ida’s leader in Benghazi. Ironically, his life came to an end in December 2015 when he succumbed to a mortar attack executed by the Libyan National Army and the Emirati Air Force.
Wissam, an adversary of American influence in Benghazi, saw an opportunity in the crisis that unfolded on September 11, 2012. As al-Qa’ida terrorists and their local affiliates attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, attempting to kidnap our Ambassador, Wissam stood outside, watching the chaos. During this period of waiting, he received a phone call, presumably from Boka al-Oraibi, the Leader of Libya Shield Two, informing him of the imminent arrival of a rescue force of Americans from Tripoli, which would later be coined “Team Tripoli.” The prospect of more Americans descending upon Benghazi infuriated Wissam, and he loudly vowed to kill all of us Americans that night. His declaration was overheard by those in his vicinity.
In the world of counterterrorism, where anonymity frequently obscures the true identities of our adversaries, we are here to unveil the truth. Today, the era of terrorists hiding in the shadows ends for those who carried out the mortar attack on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Annex in Benghazi, Libya, on September 12, 2012. Yes, we are here to reveal the identities of the ten-man mortar team – our enemies.
These ten terrorists were part of the Ali Hassan al-Jaber Cell, operating under the banner of the Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade, a group that emerged as an offshoot of the 17 February Martyrs Brigade. Leading this organization was Mohammed al-Gharabi, who, at the time, served as al-Qa’ida’s Senior Commander for Benghazi. Gharabi had played a key role in the formation of 17 February, alongside co-founder Ismail al-Sallabi, who held the position of al-Qa’ida’s Deputy Senior Commander for Benghazi. 17 February was authorized by the Libyan Ministry of Interior to provide armed security at the U.S. Consulate (also known as the U.S. Mission) compound for the U.S. Department of State in 2012.
Terrorists Mohmmed al-Gharabi pictured on the left and Ismail al-Sallabi on the bottom right.
The Mastermind
As background, the attack on our CIA Annex was masterminded by the terrorist Wissam bin Humaid, who, at the time, led Libya Shield One. In a meeting on September 9th, 2012, with the Principal Officer from the U.S. Consulate (just prior to Ambassador Stevens’ arrival in Benghazi), Gharabi and Wissam made it clear that they would no longer guarantee security for the American presence and its diplomatic facilities in Benghazi. In the aftermath of the attack, Wissam went on to join al-Qa’ida, eventually rising to the position of al-Qa’ida’s leader in Benghazi. Ironically, his life came to an end in December 2015 when he succumbed to a mortar attack executed by the Libyan National Army and the Emirati Air Force.
Wissam, an adversary of American influence in Benghazi, saw an opportunity in the crisis that unfolded on September 11, 2012. As al-Qa’ida terrorists and their local affiliates attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, attempting to kidnap our Ambassador, Wissam stood outside, watching the chaos. During this period of waiting, he received a phone call, presumably from Boka al-Oraibi, the Leader of Libya Shield Two, informing him of the imminent arrival of a rescue force of Americans from Tripoli, which would later be coined “Team Tripoli.” The prospect of more Americans descending upon Benghazi infuriated Wissam, and he loudly vowed to kill all of us Americans that night. His declaration was overheard by those in his vicinity.
Terrorists Wissam bin Humaid on the left and Boka al-Oraibi on the right.
Planning the Mortar Attack on the CIA Annex
Collaborating closely with Boka and ally Gharabi, Wissam meticulously orchestrated the timing of the mortar strike that would occur on the morning of September 12th. One of the crucial elements Wissam needed to control as he planned the attack on the CIA Annex was the need to delay Team Tripoli at Benghazi International Airport upon their arrival at 01:35 in the morning. This calculated maneuver aimed to ensure that all Americans were congregated inside the Annex simultaneously. It wasn’t until 04:45 when Wissam finally gave approval to a commander under Boka named Captain Fathi al-Obeidi to transport Team Tripoli to the CIA Annex. At 05:05, the Libya Shield motorcade, consisting of a dozen vehicles from the airport, arrived with Team Tripoli at the Annex. The militia members remained with their vehicles while their commander entered inside with Team Tripoli.
What unfolded next remains largely undisclosed. At 05:16, Wissam called the motorcade and ordered them to return to their headquarters immediately. A member of the motorcade informed Wissam that Captain al-Obeidi was still inside, and Wissam commanded him to abandon their positions and immediately return to their base without their Commander. On Annex surveillance footage, the militia was seen loading into their vehicles and quickly departing. Just one minute later, at 05:17, a mere twelve minutes after the arrival of Team Tripoli, a sudden and unprecedented attack unfolded from the western side of our Annex. This assault significantly diverged from the tactics employed during the preceding two attacks on the Annex. A hail of PKM machine gun fire, accompanied by a relentless barrage of rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attacks, ensued. Then, precision mortar strikes hit, with six mortars striking the facility, taking only 73 seconds in total.
Mortar strike timing and placement, CIA Annex, Benghazi, Libya September 12, 2012
Identities of the Terrorist Mortar Team Revealed For the First Time
So, here we are in the present day, and after 4,065 days, the time has come to shed light on the identities of the mortar team. These terrorists have managed to remain hidden under the radar, never having been identified, tracked, or located by the U.S. Intelligence Community. Let us now introduce the terrorists from the CIA Annex attack mortar team:
(1) Adnan Hassan Ahmed al-Awjali, born in 1976 in Benghazi, worked in refrigeration and air conditioning repair services and had previously worked for the General Security Service (GSS).
(2) Ahmed Ramadan Mahmoud Abdel Ati, born in 1988 in Benghazi, held a diploma in computer science and had previously worked at Al-Hawari Hospital on 5th Ring Road in Benghazi.
(3) Musab Ramadan Mahmoud Abdel Ati, born in 1990 in Ras Lanuf, Libya, was a former student at the Faculty of Science, Department of Physics at the University of Benghazi.
(4) Abdul Qader Abdullah Ali al-Balqasim, born in 1977 in Ajdabiya, Libya, was unemployed.
(5) Ramadan Mahmoud Abdel Ati al-Barghathi, born in 1964 in Benghazi, was employed at the Al-Zawiya Oil Refining Company located in the Al Harsha Area of Zawiyah, Libya.
(6) Salem Mahmoud Abdel-Ati al-Barghathi, born in 1978 in Benghazi, was a student at the University of Benghazi’s Law School and had worked as a Libyan Customs Guard.
(7) Zakaria Ramadan Mahmoud al-Barghathi, born in 1993 in Ras Lanuf, had studied economics within the vicinity of his hometown. Notably, this Zakaria should not be confused with Ansar al-Sharia-Benghazi (AAS-B) member Zakaria Bil Qasim Harroun al-Barghathi, aka Jutuf, who was an attacker at the U.S. Consulate on September 11, 2012.
(8) Fawzi Nassif Hassan al-Sharif, born in 1979 in Benghazi, held an accounting degree from the University of Benghazi but was currently unemployed in Benghazi.
(9) Ali Abdullah Ramadan al-Sharkasi, born in 1977 in Benghazi, held a law degree from the University of Benghazi and was still located in the city.
(10) Imran Hamad al-Sheikh, born in 1987 in Benghazi, was a former student at the University of Benghazi and was still located in the city.
The failed U.S. Government investigations of the past should not stop what must happen next: justice against all ten of these terrorists.
Remembering the Fallen and Wounded
On a personal note, we have made many sacrifices to identify our own attackers. We hope that our relentless efforts are not in vain. The time has come to hold these terrorists accountable for the CIA Annex attack, where they murdered our brothers, Glen “Bub” Doherty and Tyrone “Rone” Woods, or “Ty” to his Navy SEAL family, as well as those severely injured on the roof, including Mark “OZ” Geist and Dave Ubben. Brazen attacks against our CIA family should never go unpunished. Together, we can ensure that their actions are met with the consequences they deserve.
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About the Co-Author
David “Boon” Benton was a key member of the CIA annex security squad that bravely responded to the terror assault on the US Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012. Battling insurgents for over 13 hours, the team successfully rescued more than 20 individuals. He boasts 24 years of dedicated service across an array of specialized units, spanning the military, law enforcement, protective security, and intelligence sectors, often taking on leadership roles.
Editor’s Note: SOFREP thanks Sarah and Boon immensely for their relentless efforts over the years to bring the terrorist killers of our brothers to justice. It is our privilege to be chosen to help get the word out to the public. — GDM
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