Iraqi general calls for white phosphorus attacks in Tikrit

An Iraqi general commanding troops around Tikrit has said he would "not mind" if a substance many class as a chemical weapon was used in the city to force out Islamic State fighters.

Major General Majid al-Sudani said his forces would take Tikrit "at any cost" and said he would welcome the use of white phosphorus, an incendiary chemical that can inflict terrible burns and suffocate humans.

"The battle may continue for a longer period, and no one can tell when it will end, but we insist on entering Tikrit at any cost," Sundani said. "We depend a lot on the international alliance, and I do not mind using white phosphorus bombs that the Americans used in Fallujah when they could not enter it.

"We have lost hundreds of men, and we will not go home until we break into the city."

Sundani's comments came after Iranian and Iraqi Shia militias withdrew from the battle for Tikrit, forcing the Iraqi government to turn to the US for help.

White phosphorus, known by its initials WP, is an incendiary substance that burns through many substances including skin and bone, and has highly toxic fumes. International law bans incendiary weapons from civilian areas but armies continue to use WP for its smoke-screening properties. 

I do not mind using white phosphorus bombs that the Americans used in Fallujah when they could not enter it. Majid al-Sudani, Iraqi general

The US military used WP in the battle for Fallujah, but maintains it helped obscure its troop movements during fierce house-to-house fighting.

Israeli forces have also been accused by human rights groups of using the substance in their 2008-2009 assault on Gaza.

Huge losses in Tikrit

Tikrit has already been badly damaged in the month-long battle. Local sources, speaking to al-Araby on condition of anonymity said some areas had been bombed to rubble, with grave civilian casualties.

"We have learned that other civilians had been under the rubble for weeks, as they were killed by airstrikes, and their bodies have not been recovered," said one official. "You can smell them from under the rubble. Others were killed and buried without being registered at the hospital first."

He said the battle had destroyed or damaged 1,900 houses, 36 schools and university buildings, three bridges and 13 mosques.

Locals who have managed to leave Tikrit said the IS group was bringing reinforcements in every day.

One refugee, Mohammad Abdul Tikriti, told al-Araby: "Most of the IS fighters I saw wore or carried explosive vests, only leaving them when praying or sleeping. We heard from some fighters that they were ordered not to retreat, and to fight until death, hence the explosive vests.

"They receive daily reinforcements, and the fighters do not seem worried at all. They were just disappointed that Iran withdrew from the battle, as they had hoped to kill Qassem al-Suleimani or any senior Iranian officer."

This is an edited translation of the original Arabic.