“The most important thing, no United States troops hurt in this, but some did go through decontamination as a precaution”, Starr reported, “As we speak, this chemical shell is being tested by the USA military to see exactly what was in it”. They asked not to be named because they were not authorize to discuss the issue publicly.
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The fighting around Mosul is expected to intensify, as Iraqi forces, backed by USA soldiers, push north into the city, which ISIS has controlled since 2014.
The U.S. troops will offer a variety of support to Iraqis such as providing logistics, creating infrastructure and training soldiers.
After it landed on the base, just south of Mosul, US troops tested it and got an initial reading for a chemical agent they believe is mustard gas.
Located on the west bank of the Tigris River, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Mosul, Qayara has since become an important staging ground for military and humanitarian efforts ahead of the Mosul operation since it was recaptured by Iraqi forces last month.
In recent months, the Iraqi army – backed by US -led coalition airstrikes and local allies on the ground – has since managed to retake much territory. According to defense officials, the degraded state of the base has made it hard to turn it into an effective staging area for the approaching Mosul battle.
“We assess today that the Iraqis will have in early October all the forces marshalled, trained, fielded, equipped that are necessary for operations in Mosul”, US General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a military event in Washington on Wednesday.
Residents of villages near the northern Iraqi town of Shirqat celebrated their liberation from ISIS control on Thursday (September 22).
“This attack has not impacted our mission in any way, nor have we changed our security posture in the area around Qayyarah”, Davis said.
No one was injured in Tuesday’s blast near an airfield by the northern town of Qayyarah and no one showed any immediate signs of exposure to the suspected mustard agent, the official said.
“It is concerning, particularly on those people who don’t have the protective equipment as well”, he said.
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The US military has used air strikes to repeatedly hit Islamic State’s chemical weapons stores, and experts have warned that the militant group might use the agents during the upcoming Mosul offensive.
