Pentagon investigating alleged Islamic State intelligence manipulation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The Pentagon is investigating claims that senior intelligence officials allegedly manipulated conclusions of reports in the war against the Islamic State.

The inquiry is focused on the intelligence sector of U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, according to Bridget Serchak, spokeswoman for the Pentagon's inspector general.

"The investigation will address whether there was any falsification, distortion, delay, suppression or improper modification of intelligence information," Serchak told The New York Times on Tuesday, adding that authorities will examine any "personal accountability for any misconduct or failure to follow established processes."

Analysts working for CENTCOM have complained that senior officials at the government agency manipulated their reports to paint a more positive picture than the reality on the ground.

U.S. politicians are voicing anger on the possibility they may have received a manipulated view on the military's progress against the Islamic State.

"We are deeply concerned about these allegations and want to ensure that intelligence provided to key decision makers properly reflect the expert analysis produced by our Intelligence Community (IC) professionals," Rep.Jason Chaffetz of Utah, Republican chairman of the House oversight committee, said in a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Pentagon Inspector General John Rymer.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the allegations are being taken "seriously."

"We do take seriously any allegations of the mishandling or manipulation of intelligence information for purposes other than getting to ground truth," Schiff said Tuesday. "In the wake of the flawed intelligence prior to the Iraq war, we must make sure that all voices are appropriately considered and that assessments are never again politicized."