Iraq: Islamic State launches chlorine gas attacks in western Mosul

An Iraqi military officer says Islamic State militants have launched a gas attack in a newly-liberated area in western Mosul.

An Iraqi military officer says Islamic State militants have launched a gas attack in a newly-liberated area in western Mosul.

A member of the Iraqi forces fires towards Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the old city of Mosul on April 15, 2017, during an offensive to recapture the city. (AFP Photo)

The officer with the anti-terrorism forces said Saturday that the attack occurred the night before in the al-Abar neighbourhood, when IS fired a rocked loaded with chlorine. He said seven soldiers suffered breathing problems and were treated in a nearby field clinic.

The officer spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to release information.

U.S.-backed Iraqi forces are currently battling IS militants in the more densely-populated western half of Mosul. Iraqi officials say more than half of western Mosul has been retaken. The extremists were driven out of the eastern half of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, in January.