The United Nations has confirmed that ISIL is stockpiling ammonia and sulphur in civilian areas as Iraqi troops backed by US forces attempt to force the jihadists out of Mosul.
Street view of #Qaraqosh, Ninewa, #Iraq, on 5 November. [Photo: Evan Shmony, JRS Iraq] JesuitRefugee pic.twitter.com/x7AYWrsiED— Joseph Cassar SJ (JosephCassar_SJ) November 7, 2016
There is growing evidence that ISIL is launching chemically loaded rockets into civilian populated areas.
“After the rocket fell in the garden it emitted a strong smell. It smelled like a body left to rot for three or four days. Security forces came the next day to retrieve the rocket. They thought the chemicals in it were no longer effective, so they used their hands, without protective gear, and did not have specialists with them,” said one resident.
Iraqi soliders have found evidence of ISIL’s chemical rocket factories.
NPU forces secure the largely Christian town of Qaraqosh, Iraq https://t.co/a0hyiivysK
: cmcgrath_photo pic.twitter.com/IdenalcKMI— Getty Images News (GettyImagesNews) November 9, 2016
In Qaraqosh a Christian church, usually a target for desecration by ISIL,remained in tact:“This is a hall that belonged to the church. ISIL used it and they didn’t do anything to the church. They didn’t burn it because of their factory,” said an advancing Iraqi soldier.
Mosul remains ISIL’s last remaining stronghold in Iraq.
