DISINFO: The EU and the US backed ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria, Yemen and Iraq
SUMMARY
The conclusion of the videoconference held by authorities from the European Council, the EU and those countries affected by the latest terrorist attacks is that maybe the solution lies in a more restrictive policy and in strengthening the Schengen borders. But if what you are doing is supporting and arming radical groups in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, if it was said that they were moderate rebels when afterwards it became clear that there has been cooperation with the Islamic State, and we are seeing how those people use US vehicles and weapons that come from Europe, how can you wash your hands at the end for what is happening on your own territory?
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West’s alleged support for terrorism in the Middle East.
Contrary to the claim, neither the European Union nor the US have cooperated with the Islamic State and terrorist groups. In fact, both the US and most EU members have taken part in the counter-terrorism mission Operation Inherent Resolve, while the EU established its own set of actions to counter Daesh.
Allegations about European weapons in the hands of terrorists have been previously debunked, after detailed studies by both Amnesty International and Conflict Armament Research traced the origin of those weapons. Regarding the claim about US vehicles, ISIS seized 2,300 armoured Humvees from the Iraqi army when the group captured Mosul in 2014, which alone explains their provenance.
See other examples of this disinformation narrative, such as claims that the West is supporting terrorists to encircle Russia; that the EU is supporting terrorism against the Syrian state; that instead of killing ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, the US may have evacuated him; that the US is transporting ISIS members to Afghanistan; or that extremists and Nazis are being trained in Ukraine to act in Belarus.
This disinformation message appeared in the same TV programme than the claim that “The EU and the West supported terrorism in Syria and now don’t want to help the Syrian refugees to return”.