An Army general said the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group got its hands on U.S. military equipment — including weapons and ammunition — left behind by special operations soldiers who were forced to evacuate.
According to Stars and Stripes, Army Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland confirmed gear left by the troops last month fell into enemy hands. They were helping Afghan soldiers in the eastern part of Afghanistan evacuate injured soldiers when they came under intense fire.
"For understandable reasons, the lives of soldiers were not put at risk to recover the equipment prior to the scheduled exfiltration from the area at the already planned conclusion of the operation," Cleveland said. "Neither U.S. positions nor personnel were overrun."
Photos later posted online were confirmed by the SITE Intelligence Group to be American military documents, ballistic vests, weapons, ammunition, packs, and a radio.
Cleveland said the U.S. is not too concerned over the loss of the gear because of the small quantity.
Another U.S. general said last month terrorist militants in Afghanistan have ties to the main branch of ISIS.
President Barack Obama said last month the U.S. will have roughly 8,400 troops in Afghanistan at the end of the year, just weeks before he departs the White House.
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