International Red Cross: Evidence of Chemical Attack on Civilians in Mosul

As clashes intensify in western Mosul and civilians flee the area, the International Red Cross announced on Friday that several civilians near the conflict zones have been exposed to chemical weapons. According to Reuters, the International Red Cross stated that in the past 24 hours, five children and two women who were exposed to chemical weapons have been treated. This international organization reports that these individuals were exposed to a blistering chemical agent and exhibited symptoms such as vomiting, coughing, and pain. The International Red Cross condemned this action. Reuters reported that the United States had previously warned that the Islamic State group (ISIS) might use mustard gas in response to the Iraqi forces' assault in Mosul. A UN investigative group accused ISIS last year of using mustard gas in Syria. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces have announced that they have captured another area in western Mosul and continue their advance towards the densely populated areas of the old section in central Mosul. Earlier, Iraqi forces managed to retake eastern Mosul from ISIS after 100 days of fighting. The operation to liberate western Mosul began nearly two weeks ago. ISIS rapidly seized parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Iraqi forces have so far managed to push ISIS out of these areas, and the battle for the recapture of western Mosul continues. Iraqi forces claim that several thousand ISIS fighters are present among the civilians in Mosul. A UN official has also reported an increase in civilian flight from western Mosul. Matthew Saltmarsh, a UN refugee spokesperson, stated that in the past week, 30,000 Iraqis have fled from western Mosul, which means nearly 4,000 people are escaping the conflict daily.