US probes 'IS chemical rocket attack' on American troops in Iraq

Mosul is the main IS stronghold in Iraq

Islamic State militants may have fired a chemical rocket at American troops based in Iraq, the US military says. 

A rocket that landed within several hundred yards of US troops at Qayara air base near Mosul may have contained mustard agent, it said. No one was hurt in Tuesday's attack on the base, which is home to several hundred US soldiers.


If confirmed, it would be the first chemical weapons attack on coalition forces in Iraq. Troops stationed at the base are equipped to deal with chemical attacks. "On September 20, mid-afternoon Iraq time, the Iraqi air base at [Qayara] West came under attack by indirect fire," the Pentagon said in a statement.

"An initial test of the remnants of the weapon used returned a positive test for a mustard agent. The device, likely a rocket or mortar, was imprecise and crude."

Following decontamination, no service personnel showed signs or symptoms of mustard exposure, the Pentagon said.

• 'IS making and using chemical weapons'

• Islamic State and chemical weapons use

"This attack has not impacted our mission in any way, nor have we changed our security posture in the area around [the base]," the statement added. "We train and equip ourselves and our partners for just this type of eventuality."