Senate Investigates False Intel Reports on US Success in Anti-ISIL Fight

Last week, 50 intelligence analysts came forward accusing top officials within the US Department of Defense of misrepresenting their intelligence reports on the seriousness of the threat posed by ISIL and al-Qaeda’s Syrian offshoot, Al Nusra.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Senate Armed Services Committee are investigating whether officials at Central Command altered intelligence reports to exaggerate the success of US efforts against Islamic State, Committee Chairman John McCain said on Wednesday.

"We are currently investigating these allegations, which we take with the utmost seriousness," McCain said of the inflated intelligence reports.

McCain stated he was "disturbed" by the whistleblowers’ reports, noting that if their allegations were true, "those responsible must be held accountable."

The investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee will take place alongside a Pentagon investigation by the Inspector General.

The Pentagon is investigating the reports of altered intelligence to downplay US security threats and the CENTCOM will take actions to address the problem based on the findings, CENTCOM Commander General Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday.

"Once the investigation is complete, based upon the findings, you can be assured that I will take appropriate actions," Austin said in the US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

Austin noted that CENTCOM intelligence reports were not sent directly to the president.

The CENTCOM commander explained that the reports were funneled through the Defense Intelligence Agency to ensure appropriate coordination of intelligence contributions