UN investigation reveals ISIS usage of chemical weapons

NEW YORK — An investigation by the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD) revealed that the Islamic State (ISIS) tested chemical agents against Iraqis between 2014 and 2016 to determine their effectiveness.

“A new investigation opened with respect to the development and use of chemical and biological weapons by ISIS in Iraq has developed rapidly,” said the report.“

Through the collection of a diverse range of evidence, the team has confirmed the repeated deployment of chemical weapons by ISIS against civilian populations in Iraq between 2014 and 2016, as well as the testing of biological agents on prisoners,” said the report.

Investigators searched through reports of prisoners being exposed to thallium, a highly toxic chemical historically used as a poison to kill rats, as well as nicotine, which is considered fatal if used in high doses.

The reports also referred to efforts by ISIS to manufacture chlorine and mustard gas, which was used in World War I to kill and maim thousands of soldiers.

In late 2016, ISIS terrorists carried out at least 52 chemical attacks in Syria and Iraq, according to an investigation published by the Conflict Observatory of the London-based IHS research center.