Shell fired by Islamic State forces tested for mustard agent

Islamist group attacks military base in northern Iraq used by US and Iraqi troops

An Isis militant in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The terrorists are suspected of firing a mustard agent at US troops. Photograph: Reuters
An Isis militant in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The terrorists are suspected of firing a mustard agent at US troops. Photograph: Reuters

Islamic State forces on Thursday fired a shell that may have contained a mustard agent onto a military base in northern Iraq used by US and Iraqi troops, CNN reported, citing several US officials.

No US troops were hurt or have displayed symptoms of exposure to a mustard agent.

One official said the agent had “low purity” and was “poorly weaponised,” CNN reported.

A second official called it “ineffective,” the network said.

READ MORE

Two field tests were conducted after the troops saw what they thought was a suspect substance. The first test came back positive but the second test was negative. – (Reuters)