Islamic State is aggressively pursuing development of chemical weapons, setting up a branch dedicated to research and experiments with the help of scientists from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, according to Iraqi and USA intelligence officials.
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As Islamic State goes on rampage around the world, US Intel officials in Iraq have observed that the dreaded militant organisation may produce chemical weapons in future.
“[ISIS] is working very seriously to reach production of chemical weapons, particularly nerve gas”.
The Portland City Council is considering new resolutions that would change the city’s involvement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force.
To counter the ISIS chemical weapons threat, British intelligence officials are monitoring “suspicious” internet purchases including test tubes, protective body suits (which can be purchased for less than $20), and similar scientific equipment.
Islamic State has a branch devoted to creating chemical weapons, AP reports, citing Iraqi and USA officials. Syria had supposedly surrendered the chemical 18 months ago, and the confirmation that mustard gas was used in August raises several questions.
“They [IS] now have complete freedom to select locations for their labs and production sites and have a wide range of experts, both civilians and military, to aid them”, a senior Iraqi intelligence official was quoted as saying.
Still, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned on Thursday that Islamic extremists might at a few point use chemical or biological weapons.
Meanwhile Iraq, which is trying to drive IS out of its country, said Syria had become a safe haven for the terrorists to set up weapons factories.
In addition, it has leading members of then-Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi military in their ranks, who clearly understand how to use and deploy chemical weapons. Over the summer, Iraq’s military distributed gas masks to troops deployed west and north of Baghdad, one general told the AP. The terrorist group reportedly moved its research labs, experts and materials from Iraq to “secured locations” inside Syria.
IS revealed its determination to get chemical weapons in a report written in 2013 by a senior deputy to its leader, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi.
While mustard gas is not as powerful as a nerve agent, in a few cases, it can still be fatal.
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The team also includes foreign experts from Chechnya and southeast Asia, according to the Associated Press.
