Washington, United States : A rocket fired by ISIS jihadists at US forces in Iraq may have carried a chemical agent, a US defense official said Wednesday.
No one was injured in Tuesday's blast near an airfield by the northern town of Qayyarah and no one showed any immediate signs of exposure to the suspected mustard agent, the official said.
Several hundred US troops are working with Iraqi partners to strengthen the airfield ahead of a push on the ISIS stronghold of Mosul.
The defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an incoming round had exploded within the base perimeter during an "indirect fire" attack.
A small team of US troops later inspected the fragmented ordinance and found one bit with a suspicious, tar-like black oily substance that they tested in the field.
That initial test was positive for a "mustard agent." A second test was negative, and a third sample has been sent to a proper laboratory for definitive analysis.
The official downplayed the seriousness of the incident, saying the shell would have been "militarily ineffective."
"Our concern is not much greater after seeing this," he said.
Still, the troops who handled the fragments went through a standard decontamination procedure.
US-led coalition warplanes last week destroyed a factory near Mosul suspected of being used by ISIS to make chemical weapons.
Observers have repeatedly alleged ISIS has used chemical weapons, and the Pentagon has confirmed the jihadists have deployed chlorine and sulfur mustard devices.
Iraqi security forces, backed by coalition air power, are in the final weeks of "shaping" operations ahead of an assault to recapture Mosul, which ISIS seized in 2014 and which remains the jihadists' last main stronghold in Iraq.
No one was injured in Tuesday's blast near an airfield by the northern town of Qayyarah and no one showed any immediate signs of exposure to the suspected mustard agent, the official said.
Several hundred US troops are working with Iraqi partners to strengthen the airfield ahead of a push on the ISIS stronghold of Mosul.
A small team of US troops later inspected the fragmented ordinance and found one bit with a suspicious, tar-like black oily substance that they tested in the field.
Advertisement
The official downplayed the seriousness of the incident, saying the shell would have been "militarily ineffective."
Advertisement
Still, the troops who handled the fragments went through a standard decontamination procedure.
Advertisement
Observers have repeatedly alleged ISIS has used chemical weapons, and the Pentagon has confirmed the jihadists have deployed chlorine and sulfur mustard devices.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
What Pak's Ex ISI Chief, Facing Court Martial, Is Accused Of Pak Ex ISI Chief Faiz Hameed Taken Into Army Custody Ahead Of Court Martial "Was Playing With Ideas": Lawyer Of Suspect In Taylor Swift Concert Attack Plot Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Olympic Team, Border Roads Staff, 'Lakhpati Didis' Attend Independence Day Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.