U.S. forces are using white phosphorus munitions in Iraq but it’s unclear exactly how
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff September 23 at 11:55 AM
U.S. Army soldiers with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Strike, execute a fire mission in northern Iraq on Aug. 14 2016. White Phosphorus smoke rounds are pictured in the right-hand corner. (1st Lt. Daniel Johnson/U.S. Army)
U.S. forces are using white phosphorus munitions in their fight against the Islamic State based on pictures and videos posted online by the Pentagon, but it is unclear exactly how the controversial armament is being employed.
White phosphorus shells are intended to make smoke screens or signals for advancing troops. When launched against soldiers and civilians, however, the munition can cause severe burn wounds that can be dangerous for medical personnel treating the injured.
[Saudi Arabia appears to be using U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in its war in Yemen]
International humanitarian law stipulates that white phosphorus munitions should only be used in areas devoid of civilians. Even using it against enemy combatants has raised concerns, given that the munitions can cause horrific injuries.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/09/23/u-s-forces-are-using-white-phosphorus-munitions-in-iraq-but-its-unclear-exactly-how/
