Several U.S. officials said on Wednesday that the Islamic State group, ISIS, likely targeted the Qayyarah base, where Iraqi and American forces are stationed, with a missile or artillery shell carrying mustard gas. According to CNN, U.S. officials state that these chemicals were likely fired at the base on Tuesday, and initial tests by American forces indicate that the substance used was 'mustard gas.' This base is located south of Mosul, where Iraqi forces are preparing for the final assault to retake the city from ISIS. The report indicates that no American personnel were harmed in this chemical attack. In this context, one U.S. official emphasized that the chemical agent had a 'low concentration' and was 'rudimentarily weaponized.' Meanwhile, another U.S. official referred to the attack as an 'ineffective' action. The report states that American forces have tested the materials used in this attack twice so far. According to CNN, U.S. defense officials said they were anticipating chemical attacks from ISIS forces due to the Iraqi army's preparations for the Mosul liberation operation. Hundreds of American troops are using this base to support Iraqi forces' operations. CNN reports that the U.S. has repeatedly bombed locations believed to be used by ISIS for mustard gas production. U.S. officials emphasize that producing mustard gas is easy, which is why any discovered production sites are targeted. President Barack Obama expressed hope on Monday after meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in New York that progress would be made in liberating Mosul by the end of this year. Mosul is considered Iraq's second-largest city and has been under the control of ISIS since the summer of 2014. The U.S. president also stated that this battle would be 'difficult and challenging' as Mosul is a large city where ISIS has deeply entrenched itself. Obama stressed that once the Mosul liberation operation is completed, it is essential to rebuild the city to prevent extremist and militia forces from returning.
U.S. Officials: ISIS Chemical Attack on Army Base in Iraq
U.S. officials reported that ISIS likely launched a chemical attack using mustard gas on the Qayyarah base in Iraq, which houses both Iraqi and American forces. Fortunately, no American personnel were harmed, and the attack was deemed ineffective. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and the challenges faced in the fight against ISIS in the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
ISIS likely launched a chemical attack using mustard gas on the Qayyarah base in Iraq, which houses both Iraqi and American forces. Fortunately, no American personnel were harmed, and the attack was deemed ineffective.
- The attack involved a low concentration of mustard gas.
- U.S. officials had anticipated such chemical attacks due to ongoing military operations against ISIS.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
ISIS has been a dominant force in Iraq since 2014, controlling significant territory and conducting various attacks. The U.S. has been involved in military operations to assist Iraqi forces in reclaiming these areas.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%