ISIS steps up use of chemicals on battlefields in Iraq

July 21, 2015 00:08

ISIS recently used devices filled with chemical agents against Kurdish forces and civilians in both Iraq and Syria, a joint investigation by two independent organizations has found.

The findings build on previous reporting that ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) has begun to adapt both suicide bombs and improvised explosive devices to include chlorine and other chemicals and may seek to exploit the use of chemicals as it develops new weapons.

The two UK-based groups -- Conflict Armament Research and Sahan Research -- sent teams to investigate allegations that ISIS used chemical munitions on three occasions last month.

Two of the incidents occurred in Hasakah province in northern Syria, where ISIS is locked in battle with the Kurdish YPG group. The third involved a 120 mm mortar that landed near Kurdish positions at the Mosul Dam in northern Iraq but failed to explode.

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