The recent theft of massive amounts of highly sensitive US military equipment from Libya is far worse than previously thought, Fox News has learned, with raiders swiping hundreds of weapons that are now in the hands of militia groups aligned with terror organizations.
The equipment, as Fox News previously reported, was used for training in Libya by US Special Forces. The training team, which was funded by the Pentagon, has since been pulled, partly in response to the overnight raids last August.
According to State Department and military sources, dozens of highly armored vehicles called GMV's, provided by the United States, are now missing.
The vehicles feature GPS navigation as well as various sets of weapon mounts and can be outfitted with smoke-grenade launchers.
US Special Forces undergo significant training to operate these vehicles. Fox News is told the vehicles provided to the Libyans are now gone.
Along with the GMV's, hundreds of weapons are now missing, including roughly 100 Glock pistols and more than 100 M4 rifles. More disturbing, according to the sources, is that it seems almost every set of night-vision goggles has also been taken. This is advanced technology that gives very few war fighters an advantage on the battlefield.
"It's not just equipment ... it's the capability. You are giving these very dangerous groups the capability that only a few nations are capable of," one source said. "Already assassinations are picking up in Tripoli and there are major worries that the militias are using this stolen equipment to their advantage. All these militias are tied into terrorist organizations and are tied to (salafists)."
Meanwhile, special operators told Fox News that training camps throughout eastern Libya continue to train terrorists, and border controls right now around the country are non-existent in most areas.
The greatest relevance of this news report of an arms theft is to add one more glaring piece of evidence that the US has brought about and is encouraging 4th generation warfare in lands where it is interfering.
Many of the militants fighting to topple the government of Syria have been reported to be equipped with advanced US arms.
The theft report comes as US has also been training Syria militants, providing them with weapons and giving them financial support according to reports.
SHI/SHI