ISIL moving seized U.S. tanks, other platforms to Syria

Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

Syrian and Iraqi terrorist forces obtained significant numbers of tanks, trucks, and U.S.-origin Humvees in recent military operations in Iraq and those arms are being shipped to rebels in Syria, according to U.S. officials.

A captured Iraqi T-55 tank in Syria in a photo transmitted by ISIL forces
A captured Iraqi T-55 tank in Syria in a photo transmitted by ISIL forces

U.S. intelligence agencies reported this week that photos of the equipment transfers were posted online by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS, the ultra-violent terror group that broke away from al Qaeda but shares its goals and philosophy.

Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Bill Speaks confirmed the weapons transfers and expressed concerns about the captured arms. “We’re aware of reports of some equipment—namely Humvees—and the pictures that have been posted online,” Speaks said in an email. “We are certainly concerned about these reports and are consulting with the Iraqi government to obtain solid confirmation on what assets may have fallen into ISIL’s hands.”

Speaks added that the loss of the equipment to the terrorist group is “really a matter for the Iraqi government to speak to publicly” because “it is their equipment.”

SEE COMPLETE TEXT

Please follow and like us:

You must be logged in to post a comment Login