IS attacks Peshmerga with chemical weapons

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Islamic State (IS) targeted Peshmerga front lines in Makhmour with alleged chemical weapons, Erbil deputy Peshmerga commander announced on Sunday.

Near noon, on Feb. 19, Peshmerga forces in the relatively calm front line of Makhmour were surprised by a chemical attack from IS extremists. Eyewitnesses in the area said that they heard a Katyusha rocket fired, and a few seconds later the rocket hit a guarding post in Ruwala village, some 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Makhmour.

The windy weather played against Peshmerga, spreading the chemical gas and resulting in three soldiers severely affected who were guarding the nearby post. Many other Peshmerga still suffer from having inhaled the chemicals.

David Eubank, a volunteer medic in the Free Burma Rangers, went to the area immediately after hearing about the attack. “If you inhale it, you will be sick; we don’t know if it is mustard gas or chlorine. But we are sure it is chemical,” Eubank said.

“When the chemical attack happened, we responded to help take care of the patients, but as importantly tried to get the word out that we need more help,” he continued.

Eubank elaborated on the symptoms of the Peshmerga he treated. “General symptoms include headaches, difficulties breathing, burning in the throat, and dizziness on the first day. On the second day, the victims suffered fevers, diarrhea, and chest infections.”

General Sardar Murtka, Erbil’s Deputy Peshmerga Commander, confirmed the chemical attack by the IS militants. “We do not have proper defensive gear against chemical attacks, neither masks nor clothing,” he stated.

Murtka described that the Peshmerga have received some chemical defensive equipment from the coalition but not enough to cover all front lines against the extremists.

The Peshmerga commander added that a French advisory team arrived at the scene a few hours after the attack to collect samples for further investigation. Referring to the previous chemical attacks by IS in Makhmour front lines, General Murtka explained, “Often they use chlorine gas or mustard gas.”

He confirmed that no Peshmerga died in this attack. “The three injured soldiers have recovered to some extent now, but there are still scars on their faces and bodies from the burning chemical materials.”

Earlier on Feb. 11, IS militants reportedly launched a similar chemical attack against Peshmerga in Dumiz, seven kilometers (four miles) south of Sinjar. Eyewitnesses reported that “chemicals used in Dumiz looked like a yellow and brown powder with a strong smell” which corresponds to descriptions of mustard gas.

In a similar attack by the insurgents on Aug. 11, the Peshmerga provided US officials with fragments of the shells that later tested positive for the presence of “HD, or what is known as sulfur mustard," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, Chief of Staff for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve announced.

Reporting by Ehsan Mamakani

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany and Ava Homa

(Contributing reporter Gulala Khaled)