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"At no time were they ever tasked to be part of a capture or kill operation" of a high-value target, an official told CNN
Four US and five Nigerien soldiers were killed and two Americans were wounded in the attack
The US Army team that was ambushed in Niger was gathering intelligence on a terrorist leader operating in the area before it was attacked, three military officials have told CNN.
Four US and five Nigerien soldiers were killed and two Americans were wounded in the October 4 attack.
The officials said the unit was not under orders to conduct a kill or capture mission on the leader. Such missions are typically reserved for other elite special operations forces teams.
“At no time was the team ever directed to ‘take direct action’ against enemy forces,” a US defense official told CNN Wednesday.
