US officials warn of possible IS chemical attack in Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – United States officials on Wednesday urged forces taking part in the recent Mosul operation to prepare for possible Islamic State (IS) chemical attacks.

The US-led coalition has targeted chemical weapons positions throughout the year, most recently destroying an Iraqi factory the insurgents used as a chemical plant.

On Sep. 20, IS shelled the US and Iraqi forces at the Qayyarah Airfield with chemical weapons believed to be agents of mustard gas.

US forces have since been more aware of the insurgent group’s chemical weapons threat especially as the Mosul offensive continues.

Moreover, Kurdish Peshmerga forces and civilians in Syria have also been the victims of IS chemical weapons in the past.

According to Brigadier General Hajar Ismail, director of coordination and relations at the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga, the insurgents had used chemical weapons 15 times before.

“We believe they will use more chemical operations as the Mosul operations start,” Ismail told the Huffington Post earlier this month.

“We believe [IS] is weaker than in the past, so they need to defend themselves with mine, IEDs, and chemical weapons,” the Peshmerga General added.

IS has already used suicide car bombs and planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the city to hinder the US-backed forces’ advance.

However, the use of chemical weapons is another possible tactic IS insurgents may be prepared to initiate.

IS occupied Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, in June 2014.

Since then, the militants have lost large swaths of territory and are on the brink of defeat.

Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led coalition, have already liberated over 20 villages since the offensive began on Monday.

Editing by Ava Homa