The State Department conceded Wednesday that U.S. weapons falling into the wrong hands is a “reality” of U.S. involvement in Syria and Iraq.
“The reality of the situation in both Syria and Iraq is that equipment and various weaponry, while given to the ‘good guys,’ sometimes ends up in the hands of the ‘bad guys,'” State spokesman Mark Toner said.
Toner answered the question in the context of addressing the degree to which the United States was willing to back certain groups for political and strategic reasons, even if it disapproves of much of their activity.
“This coalition features various lines of effort,” Toner said.
Toner also declined to specifically answer the question Wednesday of who the United States’ biggest ally in the region is.
“Every member of the coalition fulfills a various role,” Toner said.
“[The State Department has] talked very clearly that not just the YPG, not just the Syrian Kurds, Syrian Arab groups, and other groups, including the Turkmens, in northern Syria have been effective at taking the fight to [the Islamic State,” Toner said.
“Part of our strategy … we recognize that it is better to provide support to these groups … who are already showing success in destroying [the Islamic State] on the ground,” Toner said.
