World·Video

Images back claims of ISIS chemical weapons attack in Iraq

Kurdish fighters in Iraq have sent CBC a video allegedly showing their wounds from a chemical weapons attack carried out in August.

Growing evidence chemical weapons used in Iraq, Syria

9 years ago
Duration 2:47
CBC's Susan Ormiston reports on video backing claims of a chemical attack by ISIS in August. WARNING: This story contains graphic images

Kurdish fighters in Iraq have sent CBC a video allegedly showing their wounds from a chemical weapons attack carried out in August.

The images, taken just days after the reported incident, show burned and blistering skin. The men in the video said they had diarrhea and wanted to vomit.

CBC has not been able to independently verify the images but spoke to a private security contractor working in Iraq who saw the injuries.

Tony Schiena says he was escorted to the frontlines by the head of Kurdish intelligence and met with a combat medic who pleaded for help.

The U.S. believes that one cell in ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Shyria) is making mustard gas. But other observers wonder if it was stolen from Iraqi or Syrian stockpiles.

For more on this story from senior correspondent Susan Ormiston, click on the video above.