UN report: The terrorist organization (ISIS) has launched chemical weapons attacks in several areas in Iraq

New York, (ST) – United Nations experts have confirmed that the terrorist organization “ISIS” launched attacks using chemical weapons in areas where it spread in Iraq, between 2014 and 2019.

AFP revealed a report prepared by the United Nations investigation team to promote accountability for the crimes of the terrorist organization “ISIS”, which referred to the collection of documentary and digital evidence derived from witness testimonies of the organization’s use of chemical weapons in Iraq during the mentioned period.

In their report, which was submitted to the Security Council for discussion, the experts stated that the terrorist organization “ISIS” has manufactured and produced chemical rockets and mortar shells, chemical munitions for rocket bombs, chemical warheads, and improvised chemical explosive devices.

The report referred to evidence proving that the terrorist organization made financial, logistical and other arrangements related to procurement and links with its leadership elements. It pointed out that there is a greater understanding of the suspected sites of weapons manufacturing, production and use activities throughout Iraq.

The investigators focused their efforts on an attack on the Iraqi city of Tuz Khurmato on March 8, 2016, confirming that they had collected a lot of evidence, including records of statements and correspondences of the terrorist organization “ISIS” related to the training it was conducting for certain clients to use chemicals as weapons. Including dispersers of chemicals including aluminum phosphate, chlorine, cyanide, nicotine and thallium sulfate.

The investigators’ report pointed to the ongoing health complications among the residents of Tuz Khurmato, , which includes chronic diseases, cancers and complications related to reproductive health.

The report confirmed the existence of strong links between supportive networks of the organization based in Mosul and Baghdad and larger regional networks throughout the Middle East and the Gulf region.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announced in 2016 that the terrorist organization “ISIS” manufactures chemical weapons and uses them in Iraq and Syria, including attacks launched by the aforementioned organization using mustard gas.

Raghda Sawas