US Fails To Keep Records Of Billion Dollars Arms Trade In Middle East

US Army has failed to keep accurate records on more than $1 billion worth arms transfers in Iraq and Kuwait, according to declassified document obtained by a human rights organization.

The arms have been supplied under US-Iraqi cooperation agreement.

The US Army’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command (1st TSC) "did not have accurate, up-to-date records on the quantity and location of [Iraq Train and Equip Fund] ITEF equipment on hand in Kuwait and Iraq," the organization, Amnesty International that obtained documents under the Freedom of Information Act said.

Amnesty International drew public's attention to the Department of Defense 2016 report on accountability of the transfers of equipment to the Iraqi Army, which said that the US Army failed to keep tabs on more than $1 billion worth of arms and other military equipment in Iraq and Kuwait according to current declassified Department of Defense (DoD) audit.

According to the human rights watchdog, "lax controls and record-keeping within the Iraqi chain of command" resulted in armed groups known for war crimes obtaining weapons and equipment.

The organization asked the countries that sell arms to Iraq to ensure that all necessary measures are taken for the weapons not to fall into the wrong hands.