The Pentagon confirmed Monday that US-led coalition forces conducted an airdrop to the ground gunmen fighting against the militants of the so-called ’Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) takfiri group in northern Syria.

The Pentagon confirmed Monday that US-led coalition forces conducted an airdrop to the ground gunmen fighting against the militants of the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group in northern Syria.

"The aircraft delivery includes small arms ammunition to resupply the local forces" to enable them to continue operations against ISIL, Pentagon spokeswoman Elissa Smith told Anadolu Agency.

Smith said the "successful" airdrop was conducted by a "US Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft flying from the US Central Command area of responsibility" and added that all aircraft exited the drop area safely.  

The US announced last week that it would "pause" its $500 million train and equip program for Syrian rebels but instead provide weapons and equipment packages to a select rebel group of vetted leaders and their units fighting ISIL in Syria.

"This focus on equipping and enabling will allow us to reinforce the progress already made in countering ISIL in Syria," said Smith.   

Smith declined to provide details about which rebel groups received the supplies, the location of the groups or the equipment supplied.