IS launches chemical 'gas attack' in western Mosul

IS launches chemical 'gas attack' in western Mosul
Islamic State militants fire a rocket loaded with chlorine gas at Iraqi soldiers in a newly-liberated area in western Mosul.
1 min read
15 April, 2017
A member of the Iraqi forces reloads during clashes with Islamic State [AFP]

Islamic State militants launched a gas attack overnight in a newly liberated area of Western Mosul, an Iraqi army officer said Saturday.

The officer, who is part of anti-terrorism forces, told The Associated Press that the attack took place in the al-Abar neighbourhood, with IS militants firing a rocket loaded with chlorine.

Seven soldiers suffered respiratory problems and were treated at a field clinic, the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes and other support are battling IS inside Iraq's second city Mosul, after retaking much of the other territory the extremists had seized.

IS shocked the world when it took over Mosul in June 2014 and then swept across much of the country's Sunni Arab heartland.

Its reach in Iraq peaked in August, the same year a second offensive saw it take over areas of northern Iraq that were home to various minorities.

The Islamic State group now controls less than seven percent of Iraq, down from the 40 percent it held nearly three years ago, an Iraqi military spokesman said this week.