Evidence that the villagers tipped off the militants or otherwise aided in the attack was inconclusive, the report says. They stopped at Tongo Tongo, and the ambush came shortly after they left the village. The militant was not found, and the troops were sent on an intelligence-gathering mission. It cites "a general lack of situational awareness and command oversight at every echelon." The report describes a "contradictory and ambiguous" command approval system. The capture-or-kill mission required approvals higher up the chain of command than it received, Cloutier said. The troops were hunting for a high-ranking Islamic State militant, but their leaders submitted a less dangerous mission for command approval, the report says.
The battle near the village of Tongo Tongo prompted the investigation into whether the soldiers had sufficient weaponry, ammunition and training for the mission in the West African nation. The investigative team interviewed 143 people, including survivors of the attack. They embarked on a mission described as consistent with that limited purpose, but it was actually a ‘kill or capture’ combat mission designed to target a high value person believed to be present in the region," Kaine said. "Our troops were in Niger to ‘train and equip’ the Nigerian military. and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, said in a statement Thursday that the tragedy is "deeply troubling." Africa Command and lead investigating officer. "We cannot overstate the courage with which our forces fought," said Army Maj. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio and Staff Sgt. La David Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Fla. More: Pentagon to unveil inquiry into Niger attack that killed 4 U.S. "We are now far more prudent in our missions," he said. “The responsibility is mine.”ĭefense Secretary Jim Mattis ordered a broad review of training, operating procedures and planning to be completed within four months. Waldhauser said troops are being better armed and trained for their mission - training and equipping local troops, as opposed to directly confronting enemy targets. “I take ownership of all the events connected to the ambush of 4 October,” he said. Africa Command. Waldhauser said at a Pentagon news conference that changes have been made to better prepare and protect U.S. troops across Africa.
#Full video ambush and death of full
soldiers killed in a militant ambush in Niger last year were victims of command mistakes, insufficient training and ultimately a surprise attack by a well-trained and better-armed force, the Pentagon said Thursday.Īn eight-page report summarizes an investigation, and a full report will follow, said Marine Corps Gen.
0 kommentar(er)
