The risk of Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists "employing chemical, biological and radiological warfare agents is real," reports the Begat-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. "In fact, ISIS already has attacked with chemical weapons" several times in the past two years, among them:
- ISIS insurgents surrounded hundreds of Iraqi soldiers in the Saglawiyah district of northern Fallujah, and used chlorine gas to suffocate them before detonating a car bomb. This resulted in the death of 300 Iraqi soldiers.
- ISIS shelled several security checkpoints and residential areas in Ramadi with chlorine gas-imbued bombs.
- ISIS launched 45 120mm-mortar shells tipped with mustard warheads against the Kurds in Makhmour, Iraq, and the effects included b urns, blisters, severe damage to the eyes, respiratory system, and internal organs.
- ISIS has repeatedly attacked Kurds with chemical weapons in the strategic Syrian city of Kobane. At first, the ISIS used chlorine in Kobane and later … mortar shells filled with mustard gas.
The report notes that ISIS has already "captured approximately 40 kg of uranium compounds at Mosel University,” and "has already set up – possibly in Mosul University – a branch dedicated to research and experiments of chemical weapons."
Given ISIS's financial ability to hire outside experts to produce WMD delivery systems and its ability to smuggle materials across borders, the report warns "an attack could occur anywhere across the globe. ISIS does not display any degree of morality whatsoever and does not fear the consequences of its deeds."
"The risk of chemical, biological, and radiological warfare and terrorism are tangible threats that must be dealt with now," concludes the report. "The warning recently delivered by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls concerning the possible employment of chemical or biological agents by ISIS in Europe is noteworthy. Across the Middle East, the chemical menace of ISIS is already evident, and may well increase."
If ISIS weren’t a significant threat to Western nations before, it certainly is now.