The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a radical offshoot of al Qaeda, has taken control of Iraq's second largest city.
Iraqi police and security forces reportedly fled Mosul prior to the attack, leaving the facilities of the city open for plunder. Mosul was a key area of focus for U.S. forces in an effect to stabilize Iraq, and large amounts of military hardware was left in the city for the Iraqis.
Iraq's parliament speaker said that ISIS took control of the city's airport and obtained helicopters. ISIS also took control of U.S. Humvees, which they are now proceeding to send to Syria.
More US made Humvees captured by ISIS in #Mosul. They're working fine. Already transferred 2 ISIS territory in Syria pic.twitter.com/TpZsnYmqdN
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) June 10, 2014The Humvees are reportedly in fine condition. The vehicles would be a significant upgrade to the current equipment that ISIS has, and it further increase their ability to carry out attacks in both Iraq and Syria.
See reaction of military leader of ISIS after inspecting a US made Humvee that his group took from Iraqi forces. pic.twitter.com/0w1sBMDNVI
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) June 10, 2014One interesting note is that the U.S. military gave these Humvees to the Iraqi military, which was long ago infiltrated by Iran-backed groups that killed Americans.
Yet, ISF/Iraq Army was fully infiltrated by Iran-backed groups which killed US troops-and they were given those humvees. (Part 2)
— Phillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) June 10, 2014Upwards of 150,000 people are now fleeing from Mosul towards Baghdad or Iraqi Kurdistan. U.S. trained Iraqi soldiers are apparently leaving behind their uniforms too as they flee from ISIS.
Surreal scenes in #Mosul, #Iraq as US trained troops leave behind their uniforms and flee from #ISIS to #Kurdistan. pic.twitter.com/eUyL65lnWa
— Julie (@MsIntervention) June 10, 2014SEE ALSO: A jihadist group that's too radical for Al Qaeda is threatening Iraq's water supply