US State Department Confirms They Sponsored Training of ISIL Militant [View all]

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/30475-us-state-department-confirms-they-sponsored-training-of-isil-militant

Officials told CNN on Saturday that Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov, a former head of Tajikistan's special forces, took part in counterterrorism courses as part of a program sponsored by the State Department.

Blackwater Worldwide, which is now known as Academi and is based in McLean, Virginia, is the most notorious private security firm that had operated in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his online video, Khalimov appears in black ISIL clothing with a sniper rifle and a bandolier of ammunition, claiming that he attended programs on American soil three times.

State Department spokeswoman Pooja Jhunjhunwala confirmed his claims.

"From 2003-2014 Colonel Khalimov participated in five counterterrorism training courses in the United States and in Tajikistan, through the Department of State's Diplomatic Security/Anti-Terrorism Assistance program," said Jhunjhunwala.

The militant was trained in crisis response, tactical management of special events, tactical leadership training and other related issues, according to a State Department official.

Khalimov says in the video that what he witnessed during his training in the US turned him against Washington.