An ISIS chemical weapons expert in U.S. custody confessed that the Islamic extremists have plans to use banned substances for attacks in Iraq and Syria, according to defense officials. The detainee, Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, said that ISIS has weaponized mustard gas into a powder and put it in artillery shells; defense officials say that while the mustard gas isn't concentrated to the point of being deadly, it could maim victims.
Although chemical warfare is condemned internationally, ISIS has long been suspected of conducting attacks using sulfur mustard and mustard gas, The New York Times reports. In the past, ISIS victims' clothes were found to have the presence of partially degraded HD, or distilled sulfur mustard, which burns a person's skin, airways, and eyes. It isn't known how ISIS obtained the materials to make chemical weapons, but the former Iraqi government and current Syrian government are known to have had the means.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
