US troops use gas masks near Mosul base

MOSUL, Iraq (Kurdistan24) – US forces on Saturday began wearing protective gas masks after a sulphur plant was set on fire by the Islamic State (IS) during clashes.

Powerful winds carried the toxic fumes to the Qayyarah West air base, about 30 kilometers south of Mosul, where the US troops are stationed.

The air base is the main center where US forces provide support to Iraqi troops conducting US-led operations against IS.

“The winds have actually shifted south, so, as a precautionary measure, the troops at Qayyarah West have donned their personal protective equipment—continuing their operations at this point in time,” an unnamed official told Reuters.

There are about 5,000 American forces in Iraq, but the US military has refused to reveal the number of troops at the air base.

Air samples were sent to the US Defense Threat Reductions Agency for testing, according to Reuters.

US officials at Qayyarah revealed IS insurgents set the plant on fire two days ago during clashes around al-Mishraq, south of Mosul.

Moreover, Iraqi security forces said it would take nearly three days to control and put out the flames, Reuters reported.

On Wednesday, US forces warned of a possible IS chemical attack during the Mosul battle.

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

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

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

Editing by Ava Homa