Was There A 'Massive Intelligence' Failure In Niger That Caused The Deats Of Four U.S. Special Forces Soldiers?

A US Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes a Niger army soldier during marksmanship training as part of Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, February 28, 2017. US Army/Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Klutts

NBC: Niger Ambush Came After ‘Massive Intelligence Failure,’ Source Says

WASHINGTON — A senior congressional aide who has been briefed on the deaths of four U.S. servicemen in Niger says the ambush by militants stemmed in part from a "massive intelligence failure."

The Pentagon has said that 40 to 50 militants ambushed a 12-man U.S. force in Niger on Oct. 4, killing four and wounding two. The U.S. patrol was seen as routine and had been carried out nearly 30 times in the six months before the attack, the Pentagon has reported.

The aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly, said the House and Senate armed services committees have questions about the scope of the U.S. mission in Niger, and whether the Pentagon is properly supporting the troops on the ground there.

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Update #1: Niger ambush that left 4 US soldiers dead related to 'massive intelligence failure': Report (Washington Examiner)
Update #2: Niger raid highlights US forces' growing Africa role (AFP)

WNU Editor: The region where these US Special Forces soldiers were killed has had its share of violence this year .... At least 46 attacks in area of Niger where U.S. troops killed: U.N. (Reuters). But when I think of how these soldiers were killed .... the huge force that was waiting for them .... how the ambush went down .... my gut is my telling me that these U.S. soldiers were sold out by an informer or someone who supports the militants. Not surprising, the Pentagon is also beginning to draw this conclusion .... The Pentagon is investigating whether US soldiers in Niger were lured into ambush (Business Insider).