Iraqi forces find Daesh chemical plant in Anbar’s Hit

Iraqi forces have found a chemical plant belonging to Daesh Takfiri group in the strategic city of Hit in the western province of Anbar, local media report.

The plant reportedly had refining equipment as well as large amounts of chlorine and toxic chemicals.

The items were left behind after Takfiri militants fled the city last month.

Iraqi army troops, backed by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units, took control of the city and its surrounding neighborhoods in April and killed many Takfiri militants.

Earlier this month, Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ahmet Uzumcu warned of “extremely worrying” signs that Daesh has developed the know-how to produce chemical weapons of its owns.

“It proves that they have the technology, know-how and also access to the materials which might be used for the production of chemical weapons,” Uzumcu said.

On Monday, sources said that Daesh militants launched several mortar rounds containing chlorine gas against Peshmerga forces at the village of Bashir some 20 km (12 miles) south of Kirkuk the previous night.

Scores of Peshmerga fighters suffered temporary respiratory problems and nausea in the wake of the assault, and were transported to the Kirkuk hospital.

On March 9, Daesh terrorists also used chemical weapons against the Shia Turkmen town of Tuz Khurmatu south of Kirkuk. Three civilians lost their lives in the attack and hundreds more suffered injuries.

“Daesh has materials to produce these kinds of prohibited weapons [...] and has also experts to produce these weapons,” said Head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, Arshad Salihi.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence since Daesh mounted its offensive in the country in June 2014.

The militants have been committing vicious crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk