Authors: Reza Jan, Jeffrey Dressler, Christopher Harmer, Spencer Butts

The pattern of violent incidents attributed to Salafist groups in Libya from March 2012 to September 2012 indicate that security across the country, and particularly in Benghazi, had deteriorated prior to the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.

Salafist attacks over the last six months were concentrated in the eastern city of Benghazi. An important inflection point marking an increase in attacks was a demonstration held in Benghazi on June 7, 2012, in which heavily armed Salafist groups from across the country called for the establishment of Sharia law in Libya.