Use of Mustard Gas in Battles Between ISIS and Rebels in Syria

A portion of a report from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which has been leaked to news agencies, indicates that mustard gas was used in a battle between the 'Islamic State' group and a rebel faction. This is the first report of its kind from this organization since the international effort to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria. Diplomatic sources say the samples found are 'concerning.' Reuters reported on November 5 that experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons stated in a confidential report at the end of October that 'at least two people were exposed to mustard gas' during the battles in the town of Mare' in August. Mare' is located in northern Aleppo, and reports indicate that the fighting was ongoing between the so-called 'Islamic State' group and a government-opposing faction. The summary of the international organization's report indicates that mustard gas 'likely caused the death of a child.' According to Reuters, this is the first time since the international action against chemical weapons in Syria that a report has been published regarding the use of such weapons in the country's battles. The report does not specify whether the so-called 'Islamic State' group used mustard gas or not. The aim of the investigations is not to identify the user of the chemical weapon but to address its use. Nevertheless, diplomatic sources have warned about the use of this gas. One diplomat told Reuters, 'The main question now is where the source of mustard gas is.' According to this official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, 'the group (Islamic State) either has been able to figure out how to produce this chemical weapon itself or has taken it from a stockpile it controlled. Both options are concerning.' Last July, international inspectors announced that the Syrian government had delivered the last portion of the chemical weapons it had 'declared it possessed' for transfer and destruction. The use of this weapon is against the United Nations Security Council resolution and also against the UN treaty since 1997. The report from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is set to be submitted to Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General. The new report could heighten concerns that the 'Islamic State' group has gained access to chemical weapons. Previously, an American official stated that this extremist group had engaged in the 'production' and 'use' of chemical weapons in Syria and Iraq. At the end of last year, officials from the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq stated that the 'Islamic State' had used chemical weapons against Kurdish Peshmerga forces.