Defense chief: Niger attackers were new to area

TAMPA, Fla. — The Islamic extremists who ambushed and killed U.S. Army commandoes in Niger last week hadn’t operated in that area before, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday, referring to what officials believe was a relatively new offshoot of the Islamic State group there.

Speaking to reporters traveling with him to Tampa, Mattis said he rejected suggestions that rescue forces were slow to respond to the assault, noting that French aircraft were overhead within 30 minutes. But he said the U.S. military is reviewing whether changes should be made to these types of training missions in Africa.

“We will look at this and say was there something we have to adapt to now, should we have been in a better stance,” said Mattis. “We need to always look at this. We’re not complacent; we’re going to be better.”