Chlorine bombings in Iraq

Chlorine bombings in Iraq began as early as October 2004 , when insurgents in Al Anbar province started using chlorine gas in conjunction with conventional vehicle-borne explosive devices.

The inaugural chlorine attacks in Iraq were described as poorly executed, probably because much of the chemical agent was rendered nontoxic by the heat of the accompanying explosives.[1] Subsequent, more refined, attacks resulted in hundreds of injuries, but have proven not to be a viable means of inflicting massive loss of life. Their primary impact has therefore been to cause widespread panic, with large numbers of civilians suffering non life-threatening, but nonetheless highly traumatic, injuries.

Chlorine was used as a poison gas in World War I, but was delivered by artillery shell, unlike the modern stationary or car bombs. Still, its function as a weapon in both instances is similar. Low level exposure results in burning sensations to the eyes, nose and throat, usually accompanied by dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Higher levels of exposure can cause fatal lung damage; but because the gas is heavier than air it will not dissipate until well after an explosion, it is generally considered ineffective as an improvised chemical weapon.

Western media linking chlorine attacks to 'al Qaeda'

In February 2007, a U.S. military spokesman said that ‘al Qaeda propaganda material’ had been found at a factory for chlorine chemical weapons in Karma, east of Fallujah, which led press agency Reuters to the conclusion that that “chlorine bomb factory was al Qaeda's”.[2]

Attacks

See also

References

  1. "Iraqi Militants Use Chlorine in 3 Bombings". The New York Times. 21 February 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  2. "U.S. says Iraq chlorine bomb factory was al Qaeda's". Reuters. 24 February 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  3. Terrorists Using Chlorine Car Bombs to Intimidate Iraqis June 6, 2007
  4. 1 2 3 http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_CHEMICAL_ATTACKS_GLANCE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-03-17-15-34-29[]
  5. "Iraqi Militants Use Chlorine in 3 Bombings". The New York Times. 21 February 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  6. "Attacks Kill 2 Iraqis and Expose Hundreds to Chlorine Gas". The New York Times. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  7. "BBC NEWS - Middle East - Iraqis killed by chlorine bombs". Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  8. "The E Stripes Area Code Directory". Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  9. Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Thomson Reuters Foundation". Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  10. ABC News. "International News - World News - ABC News". ABC News. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  11. U.N.: Iraq withholding figures on civilian deaths - CNN.com
  12. Police on Alert As Chlorine Hits Iraq - The New York Sun May 1, 2007
  13. "BBC NEWS - Middle East - 'Chlorine bomb' hits Iraq village". Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  14. "15 U.S. soldiers killed since Friday in Iraq". Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  15. David Cloud for the New York Times. May 21, 2007 7 U.S. Soldiers Die in Iraq, 6 in Sweep of Baghdad
  16. "People's Daily Online -- Chlorine truck bomb hits police checkpoint in western Iraq". Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  17. U.S. says 14 soldiers slain in Iraq - Los Angeles Times

External links

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