2012 U.S. diplomatic missions attacks Facts for Kids

On September 11, 2012, several United States embassies and a consulate were attacked in different countries. These places included Cairo, Egypt; Chennai, India; Tunis, Tunisia; Khartoum, Sudan; Sana'a, Yemen, and Benghazi, Libya.

What Happened on September 11, 2012?
People Who Died
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

What Happened on September 11, 2012?

The attacks on September 11, 2012, happened because of protests. These protests were about parts of a movie trailer called Innocence of Muslims. Many people felt the movie was disrespectful to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.

In Egypt, a group climbed the wall of the U.S. embassy. They took down the American flag. They replaced it with a black flag used by some Islamist groups.

In Libya, attackers fired rockets at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. This attack sadly killed four Americans: the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, security officer Glen Doherty, information officer Sean Smith, and former U.S. Navy Seal Tyrone S. Woods. Ten Libyan police officers and two other people also died. The protests ended on September 27, 2012.

People Who Died

About 75 people died during these attacks. The most well-known deaths were Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods.

Christopher Stevens (born April 18, 1960 – died September 11, 2012) was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya. He died from breathing in smoke from a smoke grenade.
Sean Smith (born 1978 – died September 11, 2012) was an Information Management Officer at the embassy. He also died from smoke.
Glen Doherty (born around 1970 – died September 11, 2012) was a security officer. He died after the embassy caught fire.
Tyrone Snowden Woods (born January 15, 1971 – died September 12, 2012) was an American Navy soldier. He was part of the State Department Diplomatic Security team. Woods was killed while protecting diplomats.