Defense IG Examines if Analysis of Progress Against ISIS in

Military officials allegedly skewed intelligence assessments about the US-led campaign in Iraq against dreaded Islamic State militants to provide a more optimistic account of progress, prompting the Pentagon to launch a probe, according to a media report.

The officials speaking on the condition of anonymity told the NYT that the investigation is trying to establish if military officials changed the conclusions of drafted intelligence assessments before passing them on.

US officials told the Times that complaints had been made to the intelligence community’s inspector general, and that the Pentagon’s inspector general then took up the matter. If officials find the claims credible, they are required to advise the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

The fact that the inspector general has initiated an investigation means that in this particular case allegations of inaccuracy go “beyond typical intelligence disputes.”

The investigation, a rarity in given the often subjective nature of many intelligence assessments, is being handled by the inspector general at the Department of Defense.

The Pentagon has declined to comment on the report.

Centcom is trying to downplay the situation, with Col. Patrick Ryder, the Centcom spokesman usually responsible for delivering these dubious claims of war progress, insisting the command “welcomes” the IG oversight of their intelligence.

It could also put added pressure on US officials who have come under criticism after the first group of fighters trained in a US arm-and-equip programme were kidnapped by Syria’s al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Nusra Front, in late July.

CENTCOM is the military headquarters overseeing the American-led bombing campaign and other efforts against the Islamic State.

Last month, Obama administration special envoy retired general John Allen said “ISIS is losing,” using an acronym by which the group is known.

But US intelligence businesses have just lately discovered that the group has been little weakened by the assault simply because it expanded into North Africa and Central Asia, the Times stated.

The war on IS is “difficult” and “it’s going to take some time,” Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said during a news briefing last week.

In testimony on Capitol Hill this year, Lt. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart, the agency’s director, said sending ground troops back into Iraq risked transforming the conflict into one between the West and ISIS, which would be “the best propaganda victory that we could give”.