The chief of Germany's foreign intelligence agency BND told a newspaper that the agency has "information that [Islamic State] used mustard gas in northern Iraq," with the gas either coming from stockpiles produced during Saddam Hussein's era or made by ISIS at the University of Mosul.
The daily paper Bild quoted BND head Gerhard Schindler in its report, and said the agency collected blood samples from Kurds injured during fighting with ISIS militants, The Associated Press reports. U.S. Defense Department spokeswoman Cmdr. Elissa Smith would not comment on intelligence or operational matters, but did say that "any use by any party... of a chemical weapon of any kind is an abhorrent act. Given the alleged behavior of [ISIS] and other such groups in the region, any such flagrant disregard for international standards and norms is reprehensible."
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
US energy regulator OKs rule to boost power gridSpeed Read The grid overhaul aims to meet a surging electricity demand
-
Today's political cartoons - May 14, 2024Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - Looney Toons, Northern Lights, and more
-
Canada fires trigger air quality alerts in upper USSpeed Read Smoke from the wildfires has threatened air quality across Minnesota, Wisconsin and more
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostagesSpeed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 yearsSpeed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for UkraineSpeed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
-
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
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawaterSpeed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
-
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
