No Laughing Matter

"Let's not forget, a year ago many ISIS fighters would have been trained by the U.S. as part of a 'trusted' force."
U.S. Representative Michael Capuano, Democrat

"There will always be risk in a program like this, but we believe that risk is justified given the threat."
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

"This is an American tank now in the possession of ISIS."
"This is a Humvee going to a parade. Now we want to arm Syrian rebels. Let's see how that's worked in the past."
Representative Ted Poe, Texas Republican

"There are few massive cases of transfers. I can think of cases where [U.S. enemies] benefited, but I can't think of a case where any movement really won because of access to U.S. arms."
Anthony Cordesman, military specialist, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Pentagon adviser

A militant Islamist fighter waving a flag, cheers as he takes part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province June 30, 2014.  Credit: Reuters/Stringer

In the past six weeks American warplanes have destroyed about three dozen American-made Humvees appropriated by the Islamic State when Iraqi forces fled in panic at the advance of ISIS. Islamic State forces made use of Humvees early this week when they overran an Iraqi army post. U.S.-produced equipment is highly valued by the jihadists. So with that record there appears to be some concern expressed by American lawmakers that plans are afoot to supply $500-million worth of high-tech weapons to the Free Syrian Army.

The plan, approved by Congress, sees many state delegates in opposition. The concern being over the eventual allegiance of rebel groups, and whether "we would have some control over the end use of the arms provided", stated Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III, who voted against the proposal.
There are also Republicans who raise similar concerns. Tom McClintock, a California Representative made a speech on the house floor, stating: "The Islamic State is armed to the teeth -- with American equipment."

ISIS fighters celebrate while riding on US-supplied Iraqi military Humvees:

The extent of the loss and the notoriously celebrated use of American-produced military gear is a matter of concern as strategy is being developed against the Islamic State. Defence Secretary Hagel testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, pledged a rigorous tracking system for the new arms, and a Pentagon spokesman explained it would take up to five months to vet the Syrian rebels who are meant to receive arms.

A September 8 study conducted by Conflict Armaments Research, a London-based nonprofit concluded: "Islamic State forces have captured significant quantities of U.S.-manufactured small arms and have employed them on the battlefield." Arms believed to have been acquired by the terrorist group through defecting fighters joining their ranks, the black market, and as spoils of battle. Although weapons supplied covertly to the Syrian rebels have also come under the control of the Islamic State or forces loyal to President Assad of Syria.

The Conflict Armaments Research study found that anti-tank rockets from Croatia provided to the Free Syrian Army have also turned up in the Islamic State arsenal. Airstrikes in Iraq pummel the armoured vehicles, artillery pieces and tanks of the Islamic State, with the Pentagon posting explosion-filled videos as proof of their provenance, if any were indeed required. U.S. aircraft had destroyed at least 37 Humvees, military transport vehicles and other material originally supplied to the government of Iraq.

American jets destroyed a "mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle", a bulky armoured American troop carrier designed to withstand roadside bombs in Iraq, and costing $600,000 for each carrier. The Islamic State has taken possession of thousands of American weapons, including heavy artillery systems and vehicles, from fleeing Iraqi forces. A Pentagon inspector produced a general report concluding that American forces had lost track of almost half of the nearly 500,000 small arms like M16 automatic rifles provided to the Afghan security forces.

A troop transport truck tows an artillery piece: