"ISIL suspected of using mustard gas"

RallyPoint Shared Content — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:47:00 -0400

From: Al Jazeera

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group is suspected of having used mustard gas against civilians in Syria's northern Aleppo province.

A medical group reported that those injured after at least 50 mortar shells were fired at residential areas of the town of Marea on Friday were exhibiting symptoms of chemical exposure.

Local sources told the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), a non-profit humanitarian organisation, that ISIL fighters engaged in clashes with rebels had carried out the attack.

SAMS said one of its field hospitals in Aleppo received injured civilians with symptoms including respiratory irritation, wheezing, coughing, irritation and redness of the eyes and mucous membranes, skin irritation, and severe itching.

Roughly 30 civilians developed skin blisters, with doctors identifying the cause to be mustard gas, SAMS reported.

No deaths have been reported as of yet.

Mustard gas, also known as sulfur mustard, is a chemical compound which has been used as a chemical weapon during World War I.

The targeting of civilians and the use of mustard gas are violations of international humanitarian law as per the Geneva Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention.

SAMS said its volunteers had taken samples from patient blood, clothing, and hair from the shelling site to be assessed.

Marea is on the frontline of fighting between the ISIL and the Islamic Front, an offshoot of the Free Syrian Army comprised of almost a dozen factions including Ahrar al-Sham and al-Tawahid brigade.

The town is located along the highway linking Aleppo to the Turkish border, which makes it significant for ISIL as to being a way to transport supplies and bring fighters.

The US previously accused ISIL of using mustard gas in July against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, in addition to two attacks in August against Iraqi Kurdish forces.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/isil-chemical-weapons-syria-aleppo-mustard-gas [login to see] 12809.html

ISIL suspected of using mustard gas in Syria's Aleppo

Dozens of victims of mortar attack exhibited symptoms of chemical exposure, a medical group reports.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Aug 24 at 2015 1:49 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:49:37 -0400

Nothing would surprise me. These cowardly bastards are ruthless. We need to wipe these assholes off the face of the earth. They are pieces of shit and useless

Response by SSG Tim Jessen made Aug 24 at 2015 1:52 PM

SSG Tim Jessen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:52:05 -0400

That would sound about right. They are going to use whatever means necessary to get their point across and make the world listen. I am surprised they didn't do this sooner. I really think their needs to be a global effort, lead by the UN, to put a stop to this threat. It isn't going to help anyone if they just sit by and let these atrocities happen. This is turning out like the Nazi party from Germany and look what happened there. Someone needs to take action.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 24 at 2015 2:23 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:23:40 -0400

It doesn't surprise me. We have executions by firing squads, being put in a cage and being lit on fire, beheadings.......

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 3:02 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:02:38 -0400

WHERE'S THE QUESTION, RALLY POINT???

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 3:07 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:07:17 -0400

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 24 at 2015 3:08 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:08:30 -0400

Folks are going to say "When is the US going to do something about this?" I'd ask them when are the countries and people directly affected by these fools in the ME going to stand up for themselves and do something about it? Haven't they had enough already? America has given you years, blood, and tons of money to get yourselves right, and nothings come of it. When are you going to help yourselves?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 4:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:34:55 -0400

Yeah, I wonder if that is Islamic terrorism? Maybe they got that from Iraq. Bush vindicated!!