Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has deployed captured U.S. combat vehicles in the war in Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the introduction of the U.S.-origin Humvee combat vehicle in Syria.

The British-based monitor group said ISIL was seen driving Humvees in the movement’s offensive in the Aleppo province on June 22.

“The U.S.-origin Humvees were first seen used in the clashes around the
Aleppo province towns of Muhayat Baladati,” Syrian Observatory said.

Syrian Observatory did not say how many Humvees were seen in the Aleppo
countryside near Azaz along the border with Turkey. But the group said ISIL
brought dozens of sports utility vehicles from Iraq to Syria since June 10.

The four-wheeled drive Humvees were said to have been seized by ISIL in
its capture of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on June 9. ISIL also claimed
to have seized U.S.-origin helicopters in Iraqi military bases around Mosul.
On June 22, ISIL also conquered at least three towns in Iraq’s Anbar
province.

ISIL’s offensive in Iraq does not appear to have hampered operations in
Syria. Syrian Observatory said ISIL was advancing in the countryside north
and west of Aleppo in fighting with the Saudi-sponsored Islamic Front and
other rebel militias.

  Anbar, ISIL, Mosul, Syria, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, U.S. Humvees captured by ISIL in Iraq spotted in Aleppo