Iraqi Army Leaves U.S.-Provided Equipment Behind in Ramadi

On Sunday, the Iraqi Army abandoned dozens of vehicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery, provided by the United States, as they left Ramadi following the city's fall to Islamic State forces. Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, stated on May 18 that it is estimated that six tanks were left behind. He mentioned that the same amount of artillery, a large number of armed personnel carriers, and nearly a hundred multi-purpose vehicles like Humvees were among the equipment abandoned by Iraqi forces. According to the Pentagon spokesman, some of the equipment was operational, while others were not usable due to prolonged inactivity. The Associated Press reports that such conditions compel the U.S. to destroy this equipment in its airstrikes. In response to a question about whether the Iraqi Army should have destroyed the equipment before leaving the city to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Islamic State, Warren said, 'Certainly, it would have been preferable for them to be destroyed; in this case, they were not.' While emphasizing Washington's confidence in retaking Ramadi, the Pentagon spokesman added, 'It will be a tough job.' In recent months, Washington has conducted airstrikes against Islamists without engaging in ground combat. Meanwhile, a group of military advisors from the U.S. is also present in Iraq, training the Iraqi Army. The fall of Ramadi has elicited reactions in the United States. John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated, 'The President's [Barack Obama] plan is not working. It is time for him to present a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the existing terrorist threat.' Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, responded that the President is always open to suggestions that would improve the U.S. approach in Iraq. According to the White House spokesman, this is a topic that Obama discusses almost daily with his security advisory team. Recent reports from Iraq indicate that following the fall of Ramadi, the group known as the Islamic State has fortified its positions in the city. At the same time, Iraqi forces and Sunni tribes have repelled Islamist attacks on Khalidiya, west of Baghdad.