BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian activists and Islamic State loyalists says IS fighters have seized a supply of weapons airdropped by U.S.-led coalition forces that were meant to supply Kurdish militiamen battling the extremist group in the border town of Kobani.
A video uploaded by a media group loyal to the extremist group shows hand grenades, ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The video appeared authentic and corresponded to The Associated Press’ reporting of the event.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the militants seized at least one delivery and possibly more.
Islamic State loyalists posted sarcastic thank you notes to the United States on social media.
The badly-aimed weapons drop comes as more an embarrassment than a great strategic loss. The Islamic State militants already possess millions of dollars-worth of U.S. weaponry that they captured from fleeing Iraqi soldiers last June.
Also today, Syrian government airstrikes hit a rebel-held town along the country’s southern border with Jordan, killing at least eight people.
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APPHOTO AXLP101: Smoke from a fire rises following a strike in Kobani, Syria, during fighting between Syrian Kurds and the militants of Islamic State group, as seen from a hilltop on the outskirts of Suruc, at the Turkey-Syria border, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. The buildings, bottom, are within Turkey. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (21 Oct 2014)
< APPHOTO AXLP104: Thick smoke from an airstrike by the US-led coalition rises in Kobani, Syria, as seen from a hilltop on the outskirts of Suruc, at the Turkey-Syria border, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (20 Oct 2014) < APPHOTO GFX3863: Map locates Kobani, Syria along the Turkish border; 2c x 3 inches; 96.3 mm x 76 mm; (20 Oct 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.