Iraqi security arrest IS members planning Mosul chemical attack

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi security forces arrested a group of Islamic State members who were planning an attack with chemical weapons against troops in western Mosul, an intelligence source was quoted saying Sunday.

Alsumaria News quoted the source saying the group was arrested while government troops were patrolling al-Sihha district in western Mosul. Amounts of “toxic substances” were found within the group’s possession, according to the source. He did not give an exact number of those arrested.

The source accused the group of waging the attacks, documenting them and presenting them as the making of Iraqi forces.

Iraqi commanders had reported occasional attacks with improvised chemical weapons by the Islamic State against security troops and civilians attempting to flee the extremist group’s domains towards security-held locations.

In March, the United Nations said 12 Iraqis were treated from effects of a chemical attack they had sustained in Mosul, but the Iraqi government then said it found no evidence of such an assault. Earlier this month, the United States said it was inspecting a chemical agent used in another attack in Mosul that targeted Iraqi forces.

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, recaptured eastern Mosul in January and are continuing to clear the western region. Coalition commanders say less than 1000 militants are remaining in the city.