The Islamic State has once again released a propaganda video, but this time the footage was taken by a United States Army Special Forces soldier. The helmet cam video was taken during the October 4, 2017 ambush in Niger that resulted in the deaths of four US soldiers. The video was edited and does not appear to account for the entire incident.
Killed in the attack were Sergeant LaDavid Johnson, Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sergeant Justin Wright. Sergeant Johnson was attached to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in a support role as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. SSG Black, SSG Johnson, and SSG Wright were assigned to 3rd Group as Special Forces Soldiers, or Green Berets.
The Special Forces team was in the area operating with and assisting Nigerian forces during a meet-and-greet, known in the US military as a key leader engagement (KLE), with local tribal elders when they were ambushed. There has been some discussion about a possible kill or capture mission against a high-value target believed to be in the area, but this has not been confirmed.
The team was ambushed near the Niger-Mali border, an area where several Islamic extremist groups, including the Islamic State and Boko Haram, have been known to operate. The Islamic State in the Sahel, believed to be a relatively new offshoot of the Islamic State, is believed to be responsible for the attack.
Months after the attack, the group claimed responsibility, and they are believed to be the ones who released the video. It is thought that the attackers gained possession of the video by retrieving the camera off of the American soldier who filmed it, after he had succumbed to his wounds.
In Niger, about 800 US troops continue to operate in an “advise and assist” role, providing training and logistical support to Nigerian security forces. More US troops are serving in other parts of Africa, including special forces and support elements for drone operations.
The video shows just how outgunned and outnumbered the team was during the October attack. One soldier slowly drives an unarmored sport utility vehicle while the other two use the vehicle as cover and engage the attackers with their M-4s and an M-79 grenade launcher. The enemy fighters appear to be dispersed throughout a tree line in the distance, and it is believed that at least 20 of them were killed during the battle.
They use smoke grenades for more concealment as they furiously defend their position while moving. One of the soldiers appears to be hit and goes down. The other two pull him to cover behind the vehicle before leaving him and breaking contact. They do not bound but rather sprint, indicating that they were more than likely about to be overrun.
The soldier wearing the helmet cam eventually falls and appears to be wounded. He does not move and lies on the ground as enemy attackers appear around him. The video ends shortly after the attackers apparently fire at the soldier at point-blank range multiple times.
The video is disturbing for many reasons. The fact that US soldiers found themselves in a situation like this, without the weapons necessary to achieve fire superiority over the enemy, is something that their leaders are accountable for.
“Knowing that they were asked to try to complete and execute this type of mission with that type of equipment, I just — I could not believe it,” Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, told CBS. “Why they were asked to continue to go on to this mission, I think, is something that we all need to find out.”
The Special Forces team had no air support, armored vehicles, or heavy crew-served weapons during the patrol, all of which could have helped them in an attack from a numerically superior force.
“All of those unanswered questions should be answered when the investigation is complete and finalized and that should be in the next few weeks,” Maj. Sheryll Klinkel, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told Military Times. “Again, we’re just trying to make sure the family is fully briefed of all those details first, then Congress, and then the public.”
What’s more disturbing is how quickly this video was released by certain media outlets in the United States. SOFREP, a website started by former operators that covers special operations, military, politics, and other national security news, obtained and released the video with their company watermark on it. This has been met with some significant backlash from many members of the military and veteran community on social media.
The video is graphic and shows the final moments of US Special Forces soldiers in a desperate fight for their lives. It also shows their death and is not something that should be viewed by everyone, out of respect for the men who died and for their families. Showing the video also plays right into the hands of the Islamic State, who released the video as propaganda.
Policy revisions as a result of the attack might be coming in the form of a new permission for US aircraft to fly in Nigerian airspace. During the attack in October, the only aircraft available to assist the Special Forces team were French aircraft. It is believed that they arrived in the area hours after the battle had ended. US troops on the ground in Niger may also get armored vehicles soon for conducting these types of patrols. There’s little doubt that security measures will be adjusted for all US forces operating outside of the wire going forward.
