A rocket containing mustard agent landed near a base housing American troops involved in the fight against ISIS militants in Iraq, a USA official told NBC News on Wednesday. “Indeed, we read this morning of plans for yet another incremental increase of 500 troops in Iraq, one more step down the road of gradual escalation”, he said.
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The top USA general said Thursday that an Islamic State rocket that hit a military base used by hundreds of US troops in northern Iraq contained chemical agents that cause human skin to blister. As a precaution the team went through decontamination and the sample was sent for further testing.
Following the liberation of Shirqat, state TV interrupted normal programming with a series of news alerts announcing the operation and broadcasting patriotic songs.
The Islamic State has used chemical weapons, in the past, most notably against Kurdish peshmerga positions in northern Iraq. Pictures published by the Defense Ministry showed soldiers hoisting the Iraqi flag over buildings, the corpses of alleged militants and jubilant residents waving at Iraqi forces.
The U.S. -led coalition – in an attempt to stymie the group’s ability to make the weapons – has targeted individuals associated with overseeing their production and facilities where chemical ordnance is manufactured.
The head of the Salahuddin provincial council, Ahmed al-Karim, said that government forces control up 70 per cent of the town.
Iraqi forces bypassed Sharqat to retake a key military base to its north as well as the neighbouring town of Qayyarah, but have now turned their attention to the continued IS presence behind their front lines.
“New UK support will put in place critical stocks and supplies for basic life support such as food, shelter, sanitation facilities, and protection assistance ahead of Mosul military operations”, said Britain’s worldwide development secretary, Priti Patel, in a statement.
Last month, Iraqi forces retook the town of Qayyara, 70km south of Mosul. Al-Karim added that the operation did not displace people, as residents stayed in their homes.
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This commitment comes a week after the United States pledged to give Iraq $181 million in humanitarian aid ahead of the Mosul assault.
