Chemical Weapons for ISIS?
Does ISIS have the ability to make chemical weapons? Numerous reports have come out about the possibility of facilities run by ISIS just for that purpose. This could get more ugly in the coming months and you can see I think so below the blocked quote. From Fox News:BAGHDAD – The Islamic State group is aggressively pursuing development of chemical weapons, setting up a branch dedicated to research and experiments with the help of scientists from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the region, according to Iraqi and U.S. intelligence officials.Their quest raises an alarming scenario for the West, given the determination to strike major cities that the group showed with its bloody attack last week in Paris. U.S. intelligence officials don't believe IS has the capability to develop sophisticated weapons like nerve gas that are most suited for a terrorist attack on a civilian target. So far the group has used mustard gas on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria.... The official, like others from the Iraqi and U.S. intelligence agencies who have first-hand knowledge of the IS chemical weapons program, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.
So far, the only overt sign of the group's chemical weapons program has been the apparent use of mustard gas against Iraqi Kurdish fighters and in Syria. In mortars that hit Kurdish forces in northern Iraq earlier this year, preliminary tests by the U.S. showed traces of the chemical agent sulfur mustard.
Still, U.S. intelligence officials say they don't believe IS has the technological capability to produce nerve gas or biological agents, and that the militants were more likely to harm themselves trying to make them. A European official privy to intelligence on the extremist group's programs agreed, saying so far even IS production of mustard gas was in small quantities and of low quality.
See the full article from Fox News.This group that was once referred to as the "JV team" has all ready produced mustard gas, a chemical blister agent. What exactly is mustard gas? "Mustard gas, or sulfur mustard (Cl-CH2CH2)2S, is a chemical agent that causes severe burning of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It can be absorbed into the body through inhalation, ingestion or by coming into contact with the skin or eyes." - livescience.com The fact that this is a blister and not a nerve agent should bring some feeling of relief, however it is still a chemical weapon that ISIS has produced. If the reports of ISIS using it were true, and they really are working on chemical weapons, I would prefer to ere on the side of caution, and begin the open hunting season sooner rather than later. I could be wrong, and kinda hope I am, but at this point these terrorists could be capable of anything.[mwi-cat-listing cat="94" ppp="4" cols="4" desc="false" type="view" btn_color="black" ]