The
2012 Benghazi attack took place on the evening of September 11, 2012, when
Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in
Benghazi,
Libya, killing
U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer
Sean Smith. Stevens was the first U.S. Ambassador killed in the line of duty since 1979. The attack has also been referred to as the
Battle of Benghazi.