Alwaght- A British research group has warned that the ISIS terrorist group may use chemical weapons in the Iraqi northern city of Mosul.
The IHS Conflict Monitor released its latest report on Tuesday confirming that the terrorist group has used chemical weapons in at least 52 incidents since 2014 in Iraq and Syria.
The British monitoring groups believes the background makes terrorists completely capable of resorting to such warfare to slow the Iraqi forces in Mosul.
Over one third of the attacks, including ones with chlorine and sulfur mustard gas, were launched around the Iraqi city of Mosul, which is currently the focus of major operations to liberate the city from the terrorists, the report says.
The IHS report, compiled from information gained from local news reports, social media and ISIS propaganda, concludes that as Iraqi forces make further gains against the terrorists in Mosul, terrorists may use further chemical attacks to hinder their progress.
“As the ISIS loses ground around Mosul, there is a high risk of the group using chemical weapons to slow down and demoralize advancing enemy forces,” said IHS head Columb Strack. “And to potentially make an example of — and take revenge on — civilian dissidents within the city."
“Mosul was at the center of the ISIS chemical weapons production,” he added, noting that, “But most of the equipment and experts were probably evacuated to Syria in the weeks and months leading up to the Mosul offensive, along with convoys of other senior members and their families.”
Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters have been leading a major offensive to retake Mosul, the last ISIS stronghold in the country, since October 17.
