Changes

===Operation Zero Footprint===

===Operation Zero Footprint===

By law, a covert action requires a Presidential finding. The first Presidential covert action finding Obama issued in support of Muslim jihadis occurred in the early weeks of March 2011. [[Reuters]] reported that, {{Quotebox|"President Barack '''Obama has signed a secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces''' seeking to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi...Obama signed the order, known as a presidential "finding", within the last two or three weeks"<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-usa-order-idustre72t6h220110331</ref>}} Another ''Reuters'' article noted Obama had CIA personal on the ground ''before'' signing the finding. Adm. Mike Mullen estimated there were about 1,000 rebel jihadis in number.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-usa-rebels-idUSTRE72U7NM20110331</ref> According to a US State Dept. report with this time, the [[Islamic State of Iraq]] claimed responsibility for 23 attacks south of [[Baghdad]], all allegedly carried out under [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]]'s command.<ref>https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266629.htm</ref><!--No other source in English has been found yet to corroborate the State Dept. assertion.-->

By law, a covert action requires a [[Presidential finding]]. The first Presidential covert action finding Obama issued in support of Muslim jihadis occurred in the early weeks of March 2011. [[Reuters]] reported that, {{Quotebox|"President Barack '''Obama has signed a secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces''' seeking to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi...Obama signed the order, known as a presidential "finding", within the last two or three weeks"<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-usa-order-idustre72t6h220110331</ref>}} Another ''Reuters'' article noted Obama had CIA personal on the ground ''before'' signing the finding. Adm. Mike Mullen estimated there were about 1,000 rebel jihadis in number.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-usa-rebels-idUSTRE72U7NM20110331</ref> According to a US State Dept. report with this time, the [[Islamic State of Iraq]] claimed responsibility for 23 attacks south of [[Baghdad]], all allegedly carried out under [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]]'s command.<ref>https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266629.htm</ref><!--No other source in English has been found yet to corroborate the State Dept. assertion.-->

By March 2, 2011, reports arrive by experts identifying weaponry recovered in Gaddafi's Katiba, Benghazi compound. Most equipment is 1970s-80s [[Soviet]] equipment, still effective and operational. Some equipment designs date back to World War II. Chinese equipment also is found. A ''Wired'' magazine article specifically states, "Most of the weaponry at the Katiba has been removed and handed over to the army," although the Benghazi rebels and TNC had not yet, nor ever were sufficiently organized into an "army." ''Wired'' reported, "everything had to be stripped, scrubbed, and reassembled before testing." Much anti-aircraft equipment was confiscated.  

By March 2, 2011, reports arrive by experts identifying weaponry recovered in Gaddafi's Katiba, Benghazi compound. Most equipment is 1970s-80s [[Soviet]] equipment, still effective and operational. Some equipment designs date back to World War II. Chinese equipment also is found. A ''Wired'' magazine article specifically states, "Most of the weaponry at the Katiba has been removed and handed over to the army," although the Benghazi rebels and TNC had not yet, nor ever were sufficiently organized into an "army." ''Wired'' reported, "everything had to be stripped, scrubbed, and reassembled before testing." Much anti-aircraft equipment was confiscated.