Libya closes Benghazi airport after Islamists fire at U.S. drones

haaretz ^ | 9/14/2012 | ha

[barryobi]

Libya closed its air space over Benghazi airport temporarily because of heavy anti-aircraft fire by Islamists aiming at U.S. reconnaissance drones flying over the city, days after the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed in an attack.

The closure of the airport prompted speculation that the United States was deploying special forces in preparation for an attack against the militants who were involved.

A Libyan official said the spy planes flew over the embassy compound and the city, taking photos and inspecting locations of radical militant groups who are believed to have planned and staged the attack on the U.S. consulate on Tuesday.

Militants used anti-aircraft guns to fire at the drones, forcing the authorities to shut the airport because they feared for the safety of passenger planes. "Two American drones flew over Benghazi last night with knowledge of the Libyan authorities," Deputy Interior Minister, Wanis al-Sharif told Reuters.

"They were visible to the eye, and came under attack by anti-aircraft weapons used by armed militias."

"For this reason, Benghazi security decided to close down the Benghazi airport air space. Any decision to allow an operation of any sort on Libya soil will be made in coordination with the congress and the new government."

Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the other Americans died after gunmen attacked the lightly fortified U.S. consulate and a safe house refuge in Benghazi on Tuesday night. The attack, which U.S. officials believe could have been planned in advance, emerged from a protest blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammed.

At least four international UN staff running the United Nations mission in Benghazi pulled out on Friday for security reasons, a UN source said. Several Western diplomats including the Italian consul have also left the city, according to Libyan officials

[CygnusXI]

Bingo. "Suspended until things get back under control..yada yada."

Seems less perposterous every day lately..

[Navy Patriot]

The October surprise Mid East war, as planned.

[crosshairs]

Obama wants to divert attention away from Iran, so that they can complete their mission.

[matt04]

"They were visible to the eye, and came under attack by anti-aircraft weapons used by armed militiasMuslims."

Fixed it.

[Blue Highway]

Wag the Dog or not, how will Obama, Hilary, Carney and the rest of the liberals explain this saying Muslims are peace loving and they are not anti-US?

[Blue Highway]

When will the drones begin firing on the terrorists?

[freebird5850]

Amazing how quiet my Dem cube mates have been the last few days.

[b4its2late]

Wait till a drone shoots back!

[Blue Highway]

Are Libyan military allowing these militants to fire military style weapons without firing on the militants or are they supporting them? Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm

[The Toll]

These militants ARE the Libyan military now. That’s the problem.

[fella]

No way this is an attack on the United States, Obama says so.

[Blue Highway]

I wonder if Obama still has his tee time scheduled to play rounds of golf while American interests are being attacked on an hourly basis now?

[lacrew]

Why would a drone fly so low?

Something doesn’t smell right.

[BwanaNdege]

"Militants used anti-aircraft guns to fire at the drones, forcing the authorities to shut the airport because they feared for the safety of passenger planes."

"If it flies, SHOOT IT!" is the motto of most (undisciplined) 3rd world AA gunners.

In Tanzania they fired on two police helicopters with "POLICI" written on the side in letters a foot high.

The same crews fired on me while flying a Bell JetRanger in Uganda. My clearance was on the airport manager's desk. He had forgotten to tell the gunners that I was OK.

Getting out of there I melted my first stage stator vanes in the hot section of my engine. (hey, I'll melt engines all day long getting away from a ZSU-23-2 100-150 yards away!)

"ZSU-23-2"

["May you live an interesting life" - mythical 'Old Chinese'] 生活愉快

[The Electrician]

It is very thoughtful and considerate of the Jihadi savages to reveal their positions so that we can perform accurate targeting.

[Cliff Dweller]

Too bad we don’t have an AC-130 “Puff the Magic Dragon” Drone... that would be worth the admission to watch.

[CitizenM]

Oh you a person after my own initial thoughts. Did you read my mind? I sent you a private reply.

[grey_whiskers]

Stevens died, Obama lied.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Post # 19.

I have been thinking the same thing for a couple of days.

And my fellow Americans living in the U.S.A. will sit back on their a$$e$ and whine doing nothing about it as usual.

[mass55th]

"... headed by a former US prisoner at Guantanamo Bay."

Is he one of Barry's releasees?